Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Sour Cherry

Description:

A compact-growing fruit tree featuring showy white flowers in spring followed by large dark red sour cherries in mid summer, excellent for pies and jam; an ideal size for backyard orchards, needs full sun and well-drained soil, self-pollinating and hardy

Edible Qualities

Northstar Cherry is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces cherry red round fruit (technically 'drupes') with yellow flesh which are usually ready for picking from early to mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sour taste and a firm texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Baking
• Preserves
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Northstar Cherry is smothered in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers along the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. The fruits are showy cherry red drupes carried in abundance in mid summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth dark red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

This is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Northstar Cherry is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Northstar Cherry will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.