I have a question to add to this - if we do need to spray for bugs or disease, where can you buy the sprays?

I've never sprayed cherry trees or bushes here in Alberta, and no bug has ever attacked the fruit. It might be different in MN if people grow a lot of sour cherries there and some insect has moved in to take advantage of that? Maybe check with your dept. of Agriculture.

In my experience, the main pest for cherries is birds. Get yourself some bird netting if you are in an area with good cover for birds, and use it when the cherries start to turn colour.

You might want to post this on the fruit & orchard forum.

Thank you Don and Konrad.

To my knowledge, nobody else is growing sour cherries within a couple of miles of my trees. There may be some wild, cherry or cherry (choke cherry) related plants in the area though. Maybe I'll be OK on bugs. I do plan on having a bird netting system. One is in place for my blueberries. I hope the bears leave me alone. If not, electric fence is the only answer that I know of.

The reason that I posted here rather than the fruit forum was to get specific "cold zone" information. I really enjoy, and browse the fruit forum often. It is a great source of info, but most of the posters, although very adept, are in warmer zones. I feel they may be dealing with different insects than we are. If I can get responses from knowledgeable growers like you guys, that are in similar climates, it may be more meaningful for me.

I have young Cupid sour cherries and the only trouble I have are the grackles jumping up from the ground to grab the cherries!! I have not seen any signs of insect damage so far in 3 years.