Q&A for How to Identify Cherry Trees

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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.

Michael Simpson, PhD

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Is a cherry tree still a cherry tree if it isn't umbrella-shaped?

Donagan

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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