Q&A for How to Identify Cherry Trees

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  • Question
    How do you identify a cherry tree leaf?
    Michael Simpson, PhD
    Registered Professional Biologist
    Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry.
    Registered Professional Biologist
    Expert Answer
    They are typically oval, although some can be lanceolate (shaped like the end of a spear). They also tend to have a protruding pointed tip and fine teeth along the leaf margins
  • Question
    Can you identify a cherry tree by its height?
    Community Answer
    Cherry trees’ height varies dramatically, so you won’t be able to spot the tree that way. Cherry tree height ranges between 6 and 40 feet tall.
  • Question
    My tree was planted in our yard by our builder 13 years ago. It finally has fruit this year. Why does it take so long?
    Sandra Grace Kunze Sarkisian
    Community Answer
    Conditions may not have been right. What's in your soil can make all the difference, as well as if you have been pruning it or not. Over pruning will stop a tree from producing fruit. Weather can also have an impact. Fruit trees can be fickle, and require specific circumstances in order to fruit.
  • Question
    How old must a cherry tree be before it can produce cherries?
    Community Answer
    A cherry tree will produce fruit after three or four years.
  • Question
    Why are the cherries on my tree very small with little flesh on them?
    Community Answer
    Your tree could be producing a wild cherry variety. Wild cherries can vary a lot in their size and composition.
  • Question
    Can you eat the fruit of cherry trees?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cherry fruit is edible. However, it can be bitter if it's not from a sweet cherry tree grown for agricultural purposes. Some cherry trees don't grow fruit.
  • Question
    When will it get flowers?
    Community Answer
    Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April.
  • Question
    Does it grow in tropical climates?
    Community Answer
    Cherry trees require at least some cold in the winter in order to thrive. In a tropical climate, they would be unlikely to bear fruit.
  • Question
    Can you burn cherry tree wood?
    Community Answer
    Yes. In fact, it's easier to split than some other woods. However, it's not a very hot burning wood.
  • Question
    Do cherry trees grow outside of the USA?
    Community Answer
    Yes. In fact, cherry trees grow in Turkey, Iran, Spain, Italy, Chile, Romania, Greece, and many other countries.
  • Question
    Can it be considered a genuine cherry tree if the fruit is very sour, and can it be improved to be sweeter?
    Community Answer
    There are both sweet and sour varieties of cherries. The sweet variety is the kind you buy in the produce section of the grocery store and is meant to be eaten as is. I suppose it would be sour if you picked it before ripening. The sour variety is meant for pies and jams. You cannot change the taste. Freeze them and use them in recipes! I suppose you could also dry them if you don't mind the trouble.
  • Question
    My cherry tree has sharp thorns on it. Why is this?
    Community Answer
    Do some research on the Hawthorne tree and shrub, and be sure it is not one of those. It sounds like it is.
  • Question
    Do cherry trees lose all the leaves in the fall or winter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cherry trees are deciduous and therefore lose their leaves for winter hibernation. They will turn yellow/orange in the fall and lose all of their leaves by wintertime.
  • Question
    How do I identify male and female cherry trees? Are both needed in proximity to bear fruit?
    Community Answer
    The flowers from male trees produce pollen. Female trees produce flowers. If you are allergic to pollen and you sneeze, it is a male tree.
  • Question
    I planted seeds from cherries that I purchased at the grocery store and. One of them did sprout and grow, but there are thorns on the branches. Do cherry trees normally have thorns? If so, what variety is it?
    Community Answer
    Most cherry trees do not usually have thorns. However, Black Cherry trees can have thorns along the branches.
  • Question
    Is a cherry tree still a cherry tree if it isn't umbrella-shaped?
    Top Answerer
    Yes. Its shape doesn't change what kind of tree it is. An unpruned cherry tree will tend to be spherical in shape.
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