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Ask a Master Gardener: Growing cherries in the north

Probably the most important factor when attempting to grow cherries in Duluth is selecting a cold-hardy variety that can tolerate our winters.

Written By: U of M Extension Master Gardeners in St. Louis County | 12:00 pm, Nov. 10, 2021

Q: Last summer I noticed a tree loaded with cherries in a Duluth yard. I did not realize we could grow cherries in our climate. What information can you give me about growing cherry trees in Duluth?

A: Probably the most important factor when attempting to grow cherries in Duluth is selecting a cold-hardy variety that can tolerate our winters. Tart cherries used for baking and preserving are better adapted to our climate than sweet cherries. According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map most gardens in northeastern Minnesota are in zone 3 to 4. A number of varieties of tart cherries are hardy to zone 3 and 4, including Evans/Bali, Mesabi, Meteor, North Star, and Suda.

Other factors also contribute to success when growing fruit trees. Choosing the best location to plant the trees is very important. Find the sunniest spot possible that is protected from harsh winds and provides good drainage. Avoid planting trees close to the south side of a building, which can cause the tree to warm on sunny winter days and come out of dormancy too early.

Even with careful site selection, cherry trees may not produce a crop every year. They bloom early in spring when temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. If the blossoms get nipped by frost or it is too cold for pollinators to be flying, no fruit will be produced, but in years when the weather is right the fruit production is abundant. Planting one tree or multiple trees of one variety should be fine, but if more than one variety is planted, pollination success may be better.

Producing a useful and unusual crop is always a fun challenge, but growing cherry trees yields other benefits. They are small, reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet at the most. This makes pruning and harvesting relatively easy. They have fragrant white blossoms in the spring, shiny dark green foliage in the summer and orange leaves in the fall, making them an attractive tree in the yard or garden. For more information on planting and maintaining cherry trees visit the University of Minnesota Extension web page on growing stone fruits in the home garden: extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden.

Written by U of M Extension Master Gardeners in St. Louis County. Send questions to features@duluthnews.com.