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amokk50

Problem withe cherry tree

9 years ago

I have a cherry tree that produces very few cherries. Every year, it's the same issue. It flowers in spring, but then the emerging cherries turn red and drop from the tree. A few of them survive and produce decent cherries. What's causing this? I've reached a point where I'm going to remove it because it's not producing much, unless if there's a solution. It's Juliet Dwarf Cherry.


Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It may not be being pollinated properly, causing the fruit to abort and drop before developing fully. Do you see any bee activity when the tree is in flower?

    Also while self-fertile, you will get better cropping if you plant a second tree (like its partner, Romeo). But I would suspect that lack of sufficient populations of pollinators at the time the tree is in bloom is causing the problem.

  • 9 years ago

    Bees disappeared from my garden half a decade ago. There are some that visit during the summer months. Yes, I did see a few insects pollinating it, not many. It was very cold when it was blooming, same thing happened last year. If that's the problem, is it possible to pollinate the flowers manually with a brush? I imagine it would take a lot of time.

  • 9 years ago

    Look into getting some orchard mason bees. These are active much earlier than other types of bees and can be ordered online. Hand pollinating is just not practical :-)

    Orchard mason bees

  • 9 years ago

    It seems I have the same thing on my Juliet tree...mine is sandwiched between Evans and flowering overlapped somewhat..Juliet being earlier.


  • 9 years ago

    Konrad, I'm from Canada, too. When it was blooming, the temperature reached close to 0C one night, same thing happened last year. Do you agree that it is due to lack of pollination?

  • 9 years ago

    They cant take the 0 degree...yes, pollination issue seems to be the culprit, I almost have to believe that Juliet is hard to pollinate, seen this now for several years, the Evans right beside is loaded every time. Where about are you?

  • 9 years ago

    My Romeo has done this past 2 years but they all fall off I still haven't been able to taste one of these cherries.. It's about 6ft tall but I've only had it 3 years, 3.5ft when i got it, thought the root system wasn't quite ready but I really have no idea. I also have a couple Juliets crimson passion and carmine jewel they are in a sandy spot and about half the size. Not even flowers on those... really going to suck if all 7 bushes don't ever produce!

  • 9 years ago

    I'm located just outside of Montreal. I'm assuming Edmonton is colder than Montreal. I think for next year, I'm going to pollinate the flowers with a small brush, even if it takes forever. If I still have the same problem, then I'm going to remove it.

  • 9 years ago

    Konrad, how big are your mature Evans trees? I bought the Bush cherries because I wanted something smaller and sweeter than my mesabi. I'm limited on space, but might buy an Evans if these romance bushes don't pan out. I have two mesabi trees that are producing in the mean time but they are a little tarter than I'd prefer. I was hoping these bushes would produce something a little better to eat fresh...

  • 9 years ago

    Evans are about 25 years old..from little plugs, all sour cherries are tart but one can let them stay on for a long time after turning red, [you might need to net them] then you can let them hang for about another month...sugar level goes up and nicer to eat fresh. This is what I really like among sour cherries...the long period of harvest time.

    Evans are still a larger shrub like tree, some suckers...after many years, need to be left alone for your new trees since the old ones can die back.

    RD..yes, you're a little milder....hopefully your cherries will turn around...give it another couple of years...please let us know.