Cherries are one of the prettiest spring trees and one of the most popular fruits.   Sour cherries are self-pollinating (a single tree will bear fruit), but will not pollinate sweet types.  Sweet cherries tend to be less cold hardy than their sour cousins.  Most sweet types are not self pollinating and must be interplanted with another sweet variety to produce fruit.
    Cherries do well in a wide range of soil types, but for best results, plant in a location that is sheltered from late frosts and has a well-drained soil 25ft. apart both ways.
    Although fruiting cherries have lovely spring blossoms, flowering cherries have been grown to provide a more magnificent display.  Some produce fruits neglible in taste, while the fruits of others can be used in jams and jellies.

Dwarf?  Semi-dwarf?  Standard?
Most modern cherries are grafted onto vigorous rootstocks and are available in 3 sizes:
Dwarf trees begin producing in 2-3 years.  At maturity, they reach between 6-8ft. in height, which makes them perfect for the smaller garden.

Semi-dwarf trees grow to an average height of 12-15ft. at maturity and begin to bear fruit in 3-5 years.

Standard trees reach 20-25ft. in height and begin to bear in about 5-6 years.  .
Rich's Cherries

Our fruiting cherry trees are sturdy specimens 4-6 feet tall with a minimum trunk diameter of  5/8".  Most varieties are available as standards or semi-dwarf, as indicated.  Available sizes for flowering varieties are as indicated.  With proper care, they will give you years of beauty and fruit.

SWEET TYPES

  Bing - Deep red/black fruits are one of the sweetest types.  Excellent for canning.  Does not pollinate with Napoleon.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C);  height: 15ft.

#920SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95
#920S   Standard tree    $19.95

  Napoleon (Royal Ann) - Sweet variety producing large yellow fruit with a pink blush.  Good for canning.  Will not pollinate with Bing.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C);  height: 15ft.

#921SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95
#921S   Standard tree    $19.95

  Ranier -  Pretty yellow cherries with a red blush.  Fruits are large and in great numbers.

#2659SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95
#2659S   Standard tree    $19.95

Lambert - Dark red heart shaped fruits, slightly smaller and ripening a week later than Bing.   Will not pollinate Napoleon or Bing

#2660SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95
#2660S   Standard tree    $19.95

Lapins - Self-pollinating type with firm dark red sweet fruits.  Very productive.   Good pollinator for other varieties.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C);  height: 15ft.

#923SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95
#923S   Standard tree    $19.95

  Selah (also known as Liberty Bell)  Large firm red cherry with a slightly earlier ripening than Lapins.  Good pollinator for all varieties (including Bing). Hardy to -10F (-23.3C);  height 15ft.

#4277SD   Semi-dwarf tree    $19.95

  Sweetheart - This Van-Newstar cross has bright red medium sized fruits with a good sweet flavor.  Ripens between July 25 and August 1st.  Requires pruning  to prevent over-cropping.  Self fertile annual bearer.  Hardy to -20F (-28.8C)

#1428S   Standard tree    $19.95

Ulster - A Schmidt's-Lambert that resembles Schmidt's but is more productive. The fruit is dark red, large, and firm fleshed, like Schmidt's, but is more resistant to cracking. Ripens mid July.

#2636S   Standard tree    $19.95

Akebon  (Prunus yedoensis 'Akebono')  Semi-double pink blooms cover a rounded spreading crown.  Glossy dark green leaves with a yellow fall color.  Hardy to -30F (-34.4C); height: 15ft.

#2662H  4-5ft. tree   $ 30.00

  Black Cherry (Wild Cherry, Rum Cherry)  Prunus serotina -  Growing wild along fencerows in the US and parts of Canada, this species produces pretty white blooms in the spring followed by small edible cherries that have been used for centuries to make jams, jellies and pies.  They were also used by American Indian tribes as a medicinal herb, being used to treat a number of complaints, including stomache disroders and sore throats (thus Wild Cherry cough drops).  The wood is prized to maked furniture and other objects .  Hardy to -40F (-40C); height: 25ft.

#2220   Packet  $5.00,  Approximately 50 seeds

   Higan Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella pendula)  Single pink blossoms on slender weeping branches.  Good landscape or specimen tree.  Hardy to -30F (-34.4C); height: 15ft.

#1484H  2-3ft. tree  $ 39.00

  Kwanzan - (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan')  The most popular of the ornamental cherries, with deep pink 2-1/2in. double blooms.  New growth is reddish-copper turning to green.  Hardy to -10F (-23.3C); height: 18ft.

#1028H  4-5ft. tree  $15.00

Nanking (Prunus tomentosa) Hardy attractive ornamental tree with white blossoms.  The fruits can be used to make jellies and jams.  Hardy to -50F (-45C); height: 10ft.

#1485H   3-4ft. tree $ 30.00

Okame (Prunus x Okame)  Upright vase shaped with rich pink blooms appearing before the leaves.  Bronze-red autumn foliage.  Good heat and cold tolerance.  Hardy to -30F (-34.4C);  height: 15ft.

#2663H  3-4ft. tree  $20.00

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena) - Native American shrub or small tree with bright red/purple foliage and fragrant pink blooms that open after leaves appear. Hardy and vigorous grower.  Hardy to -50F (-45C);  height: 6ft.

#2664H  3ft. clump   $ 20.00

Shidare Yoshino Weeping Cherry (Prunus yedoensis 'Shidare Yoshino') - Drooping branches are covered with white blooms in the spring.  Hardy to -20F (-34.4C) ; height: 15ft.

#2661H  4-5ft. tree   $ 24.00

Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry (Prunus 'Snow Fountains')  This lovely tree has cascading clusters of white blooms resembling a fountain.  Yellow to orange fall foliage and some small black fruit.  Hardy to -20F (-34.4C) ; height: 15ft.

#1483H  2-3ft. tree  $ 39.00

  Yoshino (Prunus x yedoensis)  These are the beautiful white blooming cherries planted in Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin.  Rounded growth habit and pretty yellow fall foliage make this a good choice for specimen planting.

#1097H  3-4ft.  $ 30.00

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