skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Rainier Cherry Tree Help

16 years ago

I am on my third, and final, try to get a Rainier Cherry Tree to grow here in Madison WI. I am on the low end of zone compatibility, but my question isn't related to that... they won't even take off. They have all been from Gurney's, bareroot, and start off fine in the first month, with the leaves coming out small. Then, from the top working its way down the trunk, the leaves shrivel and eventually fall off.

I assumed that the research I'd done led to a poor placement in the yard, and that it was probably too wet/too much dense clay, so this last attempt is further up the small hill, similar to the Queen Anne that has always thrived in the same conditions, and added Krum to the soil mix to try and break up the clay even more.

The third one is meeting a similar fate, but is still viable at this point. The Queen Anne is on its third growing season and if its ever going to get a cross-pollinator (the Rainier is the one I really want to succeed), its gotta get going soon...the Queen Anne had its first small flower on it this spring.

Any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

storkace
16 years ago
Did it come as a whip, or did you prune it back to a whip when you planted it? It almost sounds like the root system isn't keeping up with the rest of the tree. Maybe if you pruned the tree back a bit more you could get the surviving scion to grow.

Dobber- I agree with you that a Ranier ought to do ok zone-wise in Madison, as I have gotten wonderful Ranier cherries from Door County at the Green Bay farmer's market. Good luck!
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
16 years ago
Dobber: You could bud the Rainier onto the tree that is growing. Sounds like your Rainier may not be good for budwood. If it is, now is a good time to T bud. If yours is too far gone, maybe you can find budwood elsewhere. T budding is pretty easy with sweet cherry.

The Fruitnut
Related Discussions
Royal Rainier and Crimson Cherry trees
Q
Comments (2)
I did a search using "Crimson cherry pollinate Royal Rainier? site:edu" -- no quotes -- but became tired of reading the fine print. (perhaps you can try it.) May not be in the lists if a newer variety. You might call your county's Extension Service office to ask. They will know what works for your area. To locate your county's office, use the interactive map here: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/ Here is a link that might be useful: locate your county's Extension Service office
...See More
HAVE: Rainier Cherry Trees (Lake Tapps Trade?)
Q
Comments (0)
Rainier Cherry on Mazzard rootstock. In five gallon containers. 6' tall, growing well, and healthy - needs a home (or homes) where they can go in the ground ASAP (much too large to ship!) Have several (at least five) Some of them had a few cherries this year. Needs a pollenizer variety (I do NOT have any other cherry varieties available) Looking for unusual fruits / berries / passion vines (hardy or tropical for the greenhouse) / black raspberry (NOT blackberry!) / purple raspberry / tayberry / loganberry / boysenberry / goumi / chilean guava / mulberry (prefer own rooted must be named variety) / medlar (have one 'Breda Giant' already although I will trade for another) / bilberry / native huckleberry / thimble berry / "Invicta" (or another green named variety) gooseberry - anything edible, I don't have, and it's hardy (or is interesting enough I can find room for it in the greenhouse) I do intend on traveling to the Vancouver, WA area several times in the next month - a person to person trade will possibly work anywhere in Southwest Washington / SeaTac area --- to North Seattle is possible too (for the right plant(s), I will travel!) Also would consider trading my plants for large (10 gallon plus) nursery containers if close or there's a plant trade and I don't have to travel just for the containers (unless there is a quantity of containers!) I'm in SeaTac.
...See More
HAVE: Rainier Cherry Trees
Q
Comments (2)
I would love a to have one or two of the cherry trees, however I don't have anything on your trade list. I have unusual plum trees and a fig tree that if I could figure out what their real names were I would gladly share with you. :)
...See More
Bing and Rainier Cherry Trees in Ocean County
Q
Comments (6)
There are a lot of points to make here - do a lot of research: 1. DO NOT get Bing or Rainer - they are not suited for our climate (they will split/crack and the fruit will be ruined). 2. Instead, the following are great self-fertile sweet cherries appropriate for NJ - Black Gold; White Gold (substitute for Rainer); and Benton (earlier ripening - in case you get the others). 3. Many online nurseries (mail-order) will ship them 4-6'. You want to look and see if you can still get them mailed - Schlabach, Adams County Nursery, etc. Raintree and One Green World. I recommend getting them on Gisella-6 rootstocks (dwarfing rootstocks); the issue of best rootstocks to get is highly controversial. Do a lot of keyword searching, etc. Good luck.
...See More
Scott F Smith
16 years ago
One problem I have found with replacment trees is they can be from the same lot as the original which was weak due to some problem in its storage or whatever. I have had lots of bad luck getting replacments to grow. So you may want to find another source for your tree. From the pattern you describe it sounds like the tree just didn't have enough energy left, which points to bad storage and handling. I had that happen with a Spring Satin plumcot from Starks this spring. I got the replacement in the ground now and put it in a new spot and lots of care but I still feel I will be lucky if it works.

Scott

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Luscious Cherries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Nope, they’re not the easiest fruit to grow. But with spectacular blossoms and pies as possibilities, cherries are sure worth a try

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Help Your Home Blossom With Floral Decor

By Lucy McLintic

Sprinkle hints of spring around your rooms with fabrics, wall coverings and more that recall nature's charms

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

GARDENING GUIDES You Don't Need Prairie to Help Pollinators

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Woodlands, marshes, deserts — pollinators are everywhere

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Native Plants Help You Find Your Garden Style

By Oakley Gardens

Imagine the garden of your dreams designed with plants indigenous to your region

PINK Cherry Blossom Pink Romances Rooms

By Kelly Porter

Let the sweet nature of your rooms bloom with this prettiest of colors

Sponsored

Shylee Grossman Interiors

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators in Franklin County

More Discussions

Peach trees need help!

1

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

Health Issue with a cherry plum tree

3

Is this a crabapple?

8

Wilting Sweet cherry tree

1