Growing cherry trees in your own backyard offers not only the opportunity to enjoy fresh, flavorful fruit, but also to benefit from the beauty and character of these wonderful fruit trees. Here is an overview of some popular varieties of cherries, care tips and harvest times.
Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium): Sweet cherry trees produce large, juicy fruit that is often eaten right off the tree. Popular varieties include Bing, Rainier, Stella and Lapins. Sweet cherries generally have a longer harvest time in late spring to early summer, depending on the variety.
Sour Cherries (Prunus cerasus): Sour cherry trees produce smaller, sourer fruits that are often used in pastries, preserves and desserts. Popular varieties include Montmorency, Morello and Balaton. Sour cherries usually have a shorter harvest time in mid- to late spring.
