tree

Sour cherry

Prunus cerasus

Updated 4 Aug 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Lightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Fruitedible cherries
Mulch_biomassmedium

Through the year

Through the year

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floweringFlowering occurs after sufficient chill hours are met and temperatures rise above 10°C in spring.
fruitingFruiting begins approximately 45 days after flowering.
harvestHarvest typically occurs about 30 days after fruiting begins, lasting for several weeks.
senescenceLeaves begin to senesce and drop with the first autumn frosts and shortening days.
dormancyEnters dormancy after leaf drop, triggered by the first autumn frosts.

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatespotassium, calcium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow

Propagation

Methodsseed, grafting, budding, suckers
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationcold stratification for 2-3 months
Self-seedingLight
Divisionlate_winter_early_spring

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, birds
Can host pestscherry fruit fly, aphids, plum curculio
Can host diseasesbrown rot, cherry leaf spot, bacterial canker