How to Care for a Tulare Cherry Tree

Tulare cherry trees were first grown in California.

Tulare cherry trees are named after Tulare County, California, where they were initially cultivated. Luckily for fans of Tulare cherries, these trees can be grown throughout much of the United States. The fruit of these trees is similar to that of the Bing cherry tree, but Tulare cherries tend to ripen slightly faster than Bing cherries. Caring for a Tulare cherry tree is fairly similar to caring for any other type of cherry tree.

Things You'll Need

• Slow-release fertilizer
• Pruning tools

Instructions

1. Grow Tulare cherry trees only in hardiness zones 6 through 8. Because of the climatic needs of Tulare cherry trees, it is very difficult, and often impossible, to grow one of these trees outside of these three hardiness zones.

2. Plant your Tulare cherry trees in deep, well-drained soil and in full sunlight for best growth potential. Mycorrhizal fungi can be added to less than ideal soil in order to help prevent disease.

3. Fertilize your Tulare cherry tree with slow-release tree fertilizer. Some nurseries have special fertilizers specifically designed for cherry trees. The amount of fertilizer you will need to use will depend on the type of ground in which your tree is planted.

4. Water your Tulare cherry tree when the ground around the tree dries up. Dig a small hole 3 inches into the ground and insert your finger in this hole. If it is damp, you don't need to water your tree. If it is dry, it needs watered. Water with a slow trickle over a few hours, if possible, but do not let the ground become over saturated. Root rot can result from over saturation.

5. Prune your Tulare cherry tree yearly in order to avoid overgrowth. You should prune off any wood that is diseased or dead. According to TreeHelp.com, cherries grow fruit on lateral spurs and year-old shoots, so avoid cutting these, when possible. In order to avoid silver leaf, a fungal disease that can prohibit the growth of a cherry tree, prune your Tulare cherry tree in the summer, not the winter.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry if you have a very young tree that is not producing fruit. Sweet cherry trees like the Tulare often don't produce fruit until they are 5 years old.

References

• Treehelp.com: Cherry
• Willis Orchard Company: Tulare Cherry Tree
• University of Rhode Island; Landscape and Horticulture Program; Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear; Edmond Marrotte

Resources

• Arbor Day Foundation: What are Hardiness Zones?