Rainier Cherry Tree Help

19 years ago

I am on my third, and final, try to get a Rainier Cherry Tree to grow here in Madison WI. I am on the low end of zone compatibility, but my question isn't related to that... they won't even take off. They have all been from Gurney's, bareroot, and start off fine in the first month, with the leaves coming out small. Then, from the top working its way down the trunk, the leaves shrivel and eventually fall off.

I assumed that the research I'd done led to a poor placement in the yard, and that it was probably too wet/too much dense clay, so this last attempt is further up the small hill, similar to the Queen Anne that has always thrived in the same conditions, and added Krum to the soil mix to try and break up the clay even more.

The third one is meeting a similar fate, but is still viable at this point. The Queen Anne is on its third growing season and if its ever going to get a cross-pollinator (the Rainier is the one I really want to succeed), its gotta get going soon...the Queen Anne had its first small flower on it this spring.

Any suggestions?

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Comments (3)

storkace
19 years ago
Did it come as a whip, or did you prune it back to a whip when you planted it? It almost sounds like the root system isn't keeping up with the rest of the tree. Maybe if you pruned the tree back a bit more you could get the surviving scion to grow.

Dobber- I agree with you that a Ranier ought to do ok zone-wise in Madison, as I have gotten wonderful Ranier cherries from Door County at the Green Bay farmer's market. Good luck!
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
19 years ago
Dobber: You could bud the Rainier onto the tree that is growing. Sounds like your Rainier may not be good for budwood. If it is, now is a good time to T bud. If yours is too far gone, maybe you can find budwood elsewhere. T budding is pretty easy with sweet cherry.

The Fruitnut
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Scott F Smith
19 years ago
One problem I have found with replacment trees is they can be from the same lot as the original which was weak due to some problem in its storage or whatever. I have had lots of bad luck getting replacments to grow. So you may want to find another source for your tree. From the pattern you describe it sounds like the tree just didn't have enough energy left, which points to bad storage and handling. I had that happen with a Spring Satin plumcot from Starks this spring. I got the replacement in the ground now and put it in a new spot and lots of care but I still feel I will be lucky if it works.

Scott