Description
Three compatible cherries are grafted on one trunk on Gisela 5, a dwarfing rootstock that holds the finished tree to 8 to 12 ft. The varieties are drawn from Bing, Rainier, Van, Montmorency, Stella and Sweetheart, so the mix covers sweet and sour and early through late.
The grafts pollinate each other, which removes the usual requirement for a compatible second tree, and the staggered ripening spreads the picking over weeks. Prune the most vigorous graft hardest each summer to keep the tree balanced.
Overview
- Three cherry varieties on one dwarf tree.
- 8 to 12 ft on Gisela 5; picks from the ground.
- Self-pollinating as a unit.
- Varieties drawn from Bing, Rainier, Van, Montmorency, Stella and Sweetheart.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Prunus avium
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; deep, well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Rootstock: Gisela 5 (dwarf)
Bearing Age: 2 to 3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 8 to 12 ft tall and wide
Ripening Time: Early to late season; June into August
Pollination: The grafted varieties pollinate each other; no second tree is needed
Pests & Diseases: Bacterial canker, brown rot and cherry fruit fly; summer pruning and airflow handle most of it
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Prune the strongest graft hardest every summer. On a combination tree the vigorous variety will crowd out the others if you let it.
- Regional Insight: Cherries want a real winter and a dry spell at ripening; where June rain is common, airflow and a crack-resistant variety matter most.
- Explore more cherry trees in our collection: Cherry Trees
