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Fruit & Orchards

Is this a good spot for a (tart) cherry tree?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I absolutely love tart cherries - but they are next to imposible to buy near me, so I figured maybe I'll try to plant one myself.

First question, location... In the front of my house, I have an area that is around 15x15 grass that gets sun for a decent portion of the day. The thing is, there is a drainage tube in that section which pumps up water from my basement at times. I'm hoping this is a good thing. The grass that grows in this part of my lawn is the healthiest, thickest grass out of any part of my lawn - most likely due to the water it gets from the pump emptying there. I'm wondering if this means a fruit tree would also do well in this spot? I read that cherry trees don't like their roots to be too wet. I'm pretty sure that this area is well drained - I never notice puddles or water collecting there. How else can I tell if it is well drained or not? Will the extra water coming through here be helpful for a cherry tree or does this make it a bad spot?

Second question...variety: I'm trying to choose between the North Start Dwarf, Montgomrey, or the Surefire variety I read about here. Which of these produces the most tart cherry? Which is the hardiest, and is there one of these that would like the extra water more than another?

Edited to add: I should mention I live in the NYC metro area.

Thanks!

Comments (3)

hominamad
Original Author
8 years ago
This is the spot, in case it helps. Talking about the open, flat part towards the left. Also trying to decide if it would actually look good there, or maybe better to keep it an open area. Guess that's a personal choice.
rphcfb14
8 years ago
There is a thread comparing several tart cherries on another forum. Houzz does not like it if we mention the forum's name. Just Google Scott Smith plus growing fruit. You will find it.

That thread will likely answer your question and more. Most experienced growers who posted here have moved there.
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The plastic is a weed mat. I wasn't watering regularly - but after I first planted it, it got watered daily for 20 minutes by my lawn sprinkler. I thought maybe that was too much water, so I turned off that zone. How often/much should I water it? Do these leaves look like they are being underwatered, or perhaps overwatered?
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Kevin Reilly
8 years ago
You could dig a 5 gallon hole, fill it with water, and see how it drains. 1 hour later and you still have water there? You have a drainage problem. Put tree on a mound/berm if not draining well.

The more sun the better for most fruiting trees (including cherry). The farther away from those other plants the less competition between roots in the soil.

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