How to Plant a Chokecherry Tree

Chokecherry in blossom

The chokecherry tree is considered an ornamental tree. Although the chokecherry's fruit was used as a food source by Native Americans, the trees are classified as poisonous because of their inedible stems and leaves. Chokecherry trees live in variety of climates and can tolerate some shade.They do not thrive in full shade. They like deep, well-drained soil and need to be planted in late fall or winter.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shovel Organic material (compost) Tree stake Chokecherry tree Water Mulch (wood chips or beauty bark)

1. Remove weeds from an area that is 4 to 6 feet in diameter. Dig up the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Remove large rocks and break up dirt clumps.

2. Add organic material to enrich the soil. Mix well into the soil. Do not use raw materials because this would burn the tree's roots.

3. Dig a hole a little larger and deeper than the tree's rootball. Scrape the sides with the shovel so the roots will have "finger holds" to latch on to when growing.

4. Plant a tree stake at the edge of the hole. Place the chokecherry tree in the hole. Be sure that the tree is upright and somewhat straight

5. Fill with soil around the roots. Tap dirt down halfway through filling to help reduce air pockets around the roots. Fill the rest of the way and firmly tap down the dirt. Do not use more than your natural body weight for pressure; otherwise, the dirt will become too compact for the tree to grow well.

6. Water until the ground is soaked. Newly planted chokecherry trees need to be watered while they are establishing new root systems. Do not let the area dry out. A good rule of thumb is to water 1 gallon per inch of trunk diameter each day.

7. Apply mulch around the base of the tree. This discourages weeds and helps retain moisture. After its first growing season, the tree will go dormant for the winter. The mulch can be removed, if desired, at that time.

Tips & Warnings

• Mulch each fall and remove in the spring after the soil warms up. Chokecherry trees do not produce fruit until they are three or four years old.

• Chokecherry trees planted in shallow, poor soil will produce small fruit and have a shorter life cycle than trees planted in rich soil. Chokecherry trees are afflicted by certain diseases. Chokecherry shothole, powdery mildew, black knot and western X-disease are the most common. Common pests for chokecherry trees are the prairie tent caterpillar and deer.

References

• The Practical Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques; Jonathan Edwards; 2001
• The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening; Christopher Brickell; 2003
• Iowa State University Extension

Resources

• Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives: Chokecherry Production in Manitoba