Nanking Cherry Plants

Nanking cherry plants

Mature Size The Nanking cherry typically grows to a height of 6–10' and a spread about 15' at maturity.

How long does it take for Nanking cherry to fruit?

They were introduced into the U.S. in 1882 and are winter hardy in USDA zones 3 to 6. The Nanking cherry is a fast-growing species that sets fruit within two years.

Do you need two Nanking cherry trees?

Nanking Cherry Pollination Something you have to remember is that nanking cherry trees don't self-pollinate. You need two or more shrubs for cross-pollination that are planted within 100 feet of each other.

Are Nanking cherries good eating?

Nanking cherries are best eaten fresh off the shrub. Eating quality ranges from decent to very good, and there are rarely plants with fruit too sour for eating fresh. Nanking cherries ripen shortly after strawberries and are a welcome treat in early summer.

Should I prune Nanking cherry?

Pruning: Unless maintaining a hedge, Nanking cherries require little pruning. However, some yearly late-winter pruning will help keep good air circulation and keep branches productive. Start by removing any broken, damaged or diseased branches. Next, remove old center limbs to allow for optimal air circulation.

Are Nanking cherries poisonous to dogs?

Use Extreme Caution With Feeding Dogs Cherries The main danger of cherries is that their pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, which is poisonous and potentially lethal if consumed in high enough quantities. Cherry pits can also get lodged in a dog's digestive tract and cause intestinal blockages.

How long do Nanking cherry trees live?

The Nanking cherry is part of the genus Prunus along with other cherries, and are deciduous, cold hardy, and vigorous. With proper care and maintenance, they can live up to 50 years. Without care, plants have reportedly lived 20 years or more.

How deep are Nanking cherry roots?

Crown Width - 6 to 10 feet. Bark Color - Shiny brown and exfoliating when mature. Root System - Medium in depth and spread.

Can Nanking cherry tolerate shade?

It will grow in shade but blooms better when grown in full sun to partial shade. Crops are larger when planted in full sun, but hot, dry conditions can cause them to desiccate rapidly especially in drought years.

What is a good pollinator for Nanking cherry?

“Nanking cherries need cross pollination, for fruit production, therefore more than one plant is required, or an early flowering plum such as Brookgold, Bounty or Dandy.

Is Nanking cherry a true cherry?

Though often called a "cherry" and superficially resembling them, Nanking cherry is closer related to plums than true cherries. It prefers full sun and grows naturally in a variety of soils. It is drought-resistant, and cold-resistant to hardiness zone 2.

What cross pollinates with Nanking cherry?

Pollination: Although the Nanking Cherry is a “self-pollinator”, cherry trees are highly dependent on honeybees for pollination. If honeybees bees are either not localized, or delayed are thwarted by rainy weather , this can still be one of the culprits if no bees are available at the time the blooms are offering.

Are Nanking cherry pits poisonous?

Cherry pits contain amygdalin, a compound that your body converts into hydrogen cyanide, making their consumption potentially dangerous.

What is the sweetest cherry in the world?

But if you want to know which cherries are the sweetest of the sweetest, that would be any of the black cherries. Bing cherries are the leader of this pack, along with their siblings Lambert, Chelan, Sweetheart, and Tulare. You can recognize them by their dark color and heart shape.

Is Nanking cherry sweet or sour?

Nanking cherries are quite small, measuring one to 2 centimeters in diameter (about the size of a blueberry). Their pale pink to bright cherry red skin is shiny and smooth, and the pulp is juicy. Each fruit contains one seed, much like other cherries. Nanking cherries are sweet and tart.

What happens if you don't prune a cherry tree?

Annually pruning cherry trees helps maintain a healthy balance of older fruiting wood and younger branches, and will keep the trees more compact, making it easier to pick the fruit. Maintaining a clear flow of air through the cherry tree will also help to protect the tree from diseases.

What month do you prune cherry trees?

Pruning of cherries is usually carried out in late July or August, when silver leaf and bacterial canker are less prevalent, although light formative pruning can be done in spring as the leaves start to develop.

How do you prune a Nanking cherry bush?

The goal is to cut out a lot of the random. Branches towards the top of the tree because those are

Can you keep a Japanese cherry tree small?

Cherry trees can grow 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 metres) tall, but with regular pruning you can keep them to a compact, manageable size so they won't take over your garden.

Can Japanese cherry blossom trees survive winter?

Japanese cherry trees have been known to survive winter temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that they can be borderline hardy in the northern part of zone 5. Zones 5b to 8a are ideal climates, as more southern gardens may not provide the 45-degree winter dormancy these trees need.