Cherries at Kitsap Food Forest: A Guide to Growing Vibrant Cherry Trees

Cherries are a delightful treat enjoyed by gardeners and fruit enthusiasts alike. Their sweet, juicy flavor and versatility make them a cherished addition to any food forest. At Kitsap Food Forest, we take pride in growing several varieties of cherries using environmentally friendly practices to ensure healthy, delicious fruits while supporting the ecosystem.

Want to grow cherries or improve your cherry tree care skills? This guide walks you through our approach to pruning, ripening schedules, pest prevention, and the varieties we grow. Consider this your step-by-step plan to cultivating thriving cherry trees.

Why Pruning is Key for Cherry Trees

Pruning is vital for maintaining healthy cherry trees and maximizing fruit yield. At Kitsap Food Forest, we prune our cherry trees specifically to keep them small and manageable. This approach allows for easier maintenance and harvesting. Here’s how we do it:

1. Prune for Smaller Trees – Keeping cherry trees smaller benefits both the tree’s health and your ability to access the fruit. Smaller trees receive better air circulation, which reduces the likelihood of disease, while also producing accessible and manageable harvests.
2. Understand Cherry Growth – Cherry trees produce fruit at the base of the previous year’s growth. When pruning, it’s important to remove excessive branches while preserving those likely to bear fruit next season. For best results, prune your cherry trees in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Since cherry trees are susceptible to disease entering through pruning cuts, it’s best to prune when a dry week is forecasted—and then keep your fingers crossed!
3. Spacing for Optimal Growth – Ensure branches are well-spaced for sunlight access and airflow. This will promote healthier fruits and help prevent fungal infections.

Following these steps allows us to create healthier, more fruitful cherry trees season after season.

When to Harvest Cherries – Understanding Ripening Times

Different cherry varieties ripen at different times, so understanding your trees’ ripening periods can help you plan your harvest effectively. Cherry harvesting typically falls into one of three categories:

1. Early-Season (Late Spring)
   Some varieties offer their first harvest as early as late May or early June, depending on your growing region.
2. Mid-Season (Early to Mid-Summer)
   Many varieties produce their fruits during the heart of the harvest season, in late June and early July. This is often the sweet spot for home gardeners.
3. Late-Season (Late Summer)
   Others ripen later in the season, extending your cherry harvest into August and occasionally early September.

We carefully select a mix of early, mid-, and late-season varieties to enjoy cherries across as much of the year as possible while balancing tree management. Identifying the timing of your own cherries will ensure they’re picked at peak flavor.

Managing Pests Naturally – Our Eco-Friendly Approach

Protecting your cherries requires a combination of preventative measures and natural pest deterrents. At Kitsap Food Forest, we use two primary methods to safeguard our fruit.

• Surround WP Clay Spray
  One way we deter pests is by applying Surround WP, a natural, kaolin clay-based spray. This thin clay coating creates a protective barrier that helps prevent pests from damaging the fruit. An added bonus is that the clay also helps reflect sunlight, keeping the tree cooler during hot weather. It’s an organic, gentle way to support your trees’ overall health.
• Organza Bags for Physical Protection
  For added protection, we use organza bags to cover clumps of cherries as they develop. These lightweight, mesh bags make it more difficult for birds and larger pests to access the fruit, while still allowing sunlight and air to reach it. Tip: Secure the bags early in the ripening process for best results!
• Color Selection to Fool Birds
  Here’s a fun discovery we came across—yellowish cherries tend to attract fewer birds than the classic bright red varieties. While their taste remains just as delicious to us, this natural camouflage can help reduce losses to wildlife significantly.

By combining these methods, we grow cherries that are as pest-free as possible without the use of harmful chemical sprays.

The Delicious Cherry Varieties We Grow

At Kitsap Food Forest, we grow a carefully selected range of cherries to showcase different flavors, textures, and ripening schedules. Here’s a peek at the varieties thriving in our food forest:

• Rainier Cherries – Known for their golden-yellow hue with a blush of red, Rainiers are sweet, low on acidity, and perfect for fresh snacking.
• Bing Cherries are the quintessential summer fruit, offering a vibrant red color and a rich, sweet flavor that makes them a favorite for desserts and jams.
• White Gold Cherries – A striking variety, White Gold cherries boast a creamy white-yellow flesh with a mild, well-rounded flavor. Their resilience against cracking makes them ideal for all summer conditions.
• Black Gold Cherries – True to their name, Black Gold cherries are dark, almost black, with a bold flavor. They’re especially prized for their ability to resist frost damage, making them a robust addition to any orchard.
• Glacier Cherries – are known for their large size and firm texture, paired with a sweet and juicy flavor. They ripen early in the season, making them a desirable choice for cherry enthusiasts seeking a fresh harvest.
• Vandelay Cherries are rich in flavor, with a deep red hue and tender flesh. This self-fertile variety is ideal for smaller orchards, offering consistent yields and excellent cold tolerance.
• Black Tartarian – cherries are an early-season variety noted for their dark, juicy flesh and sweet flavor. While they are often grown as pollinators, their taste makes them a delicious treat on their own.
• Stella Cherries – are highly regarded for their sweet, vibrant red fruit and self-pollinating ability. Perfect for home gardens, Stella trees provide reliable harvests and thrive in a variety of climates.
• Royal Ann Cherries – With their golden-yellow skin and pink blush, Royal Ann cherries are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Known for their mildly sweet flavor, they’re commonly used for canning, preserves, and making maraschino cherries.

Growing this mix of cherry types provides robust harvests throughout the season while showcasing a delightful array of colors and flavors.

Growing Cherries Sustainably and Successfully

Cherries are a versatile fruit that adds vibrance to any food forest or garden. By combining methods like pruning carefully, controlling pests naturally, and choosing the right mix of varieties, you can enjoy season after season of sweet, healthy fruit.

At Kitsap Food Forest, our eco-conscious approach ensures nutritious cherries while supporting the local ecosystem. Whether you’re looking to grow cherries yourself or curious about the labor of love that goes into our food forest, we hope this has inspired you to give cherries the spotlight they deserve.

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