I will not pretend to be an expert. Cherries have humbled me more than once. Planted a tree in the wrong spot years ago, too much shade, crap soil, and it just sat there, doing nothing. Pathetic really.
First Things First: Pick the Right Tree
You cannot just grab any cherry and hope for the best. They need cold winters. That is non-negotiable. Without enough chill hours, you will get plenty of pretty blossoms and zero fruit.
If you are looking for fruit trees for sale that will actually perform, The Plant Company has a decent range of cherries suited to NZ conditions. I was checking their site the other week and spotted ‘Lapins,’ which is solid, self-fertile, so no second tree needed, big dark fruit, reliable.
Which Variety Though?
- Lapins – Self-fertile, big dark cherries, consistent crops. Good if space is tight
- Stella – Another self-pollinator. Sweet, dark red, reliable
- Dawson – Old NZ favourite. Needs a pollinator, though
- Bing – Classic sweet cherry. Also needs a mate
Read the tags. Some need a partner tree nearby, some don’t. Simple as that.
Where to Stick It
Full sun. All day. No arguments.
Wind shelter matters too, blossoms shred, branches snap. But they also need airflow to stop disease. Bit of a balance.
Soil must drain fast. Soggy roots equal a dead tree. They like deep, fertile ground. Heavy clay can be mixed with compost and gypsum. Plant on a mound if drainage worries you.
Planting Without Regrets
Dig your hole twice the root-ball size. Mix compost, sheep pellets, and slow-release fertiliser through.
Spring or autumn planting works. Gently loosen circling roots; they will thank you later. Position the tree, backfill, and water deeply. Two stakes on either side with flexible ties. Movement helps trunks strengthen.
Looking After Them
- Water deep through dry spells, not daily sprinkles
- Feed spring and summer with citrus and fruit fertiliser
- Mulch around base, keep mulch off trunk
- Netting. Non-negotiable. Birds are relentless
Birds know exactly when cherries ripen. One morning, perfect fruit, the next day stripped bare. Netting is annoying but essential.
Pruning
Prune in summer after fruiting. Never winter, spreads silver leaf disease.
Cut dead wood, crossing branches, stuff growing inward. Keep the centre open for light and airflow. Sharp secateurs, clean cuts on an angle above a bud.
I always second-guess myself. Cutting too little tree gets messy. Cut too much, lose fruit. Somewhere in between.
Pests and Annoyances
Cherry slug is real. Little black slimy things are eating leaves. Pick them off or spray. Brown rot hits fruit. Remove any mummified cherries hanging over winter. Birds already mentioned, but worth repeating, they are enemy number one.
When to Pick
Cherries don’t ripen after picking. Leave the tree until fully coloured and sweet. Slightly soft. Birds tell you when they are ready. As soon as they attack, you have got a day, maybe two.
Worth the Fuss?
That moment you pick a warm cherry, pop it in your mouth, tastes like actual summer. Nothing like shop ones. They are not easy trees. But give them sun, drainage, food, protection, and they will reward you for years.
