How to Grow Bing Cherry Trees
Bing cherries are one of the most popular fruit trees grown by amateur gardeners. It is no wonder, because the bing cherry tree grows well in almost any soil that is well drained, when exposed to full sunlight. These trees produce fruit that is delicious straight off the tree, or when used in baking. A Bing cherry tree will grow to a height of 20 feet tall, with a mature spread of about 15 feet. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant your Bing cherry tree in early spring or fall. Select an area for your tree that gets plenty of sun and has slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
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Purchase a cherry tree that has been grafted on a rootstock. Each type of rootstock will come with its own planting specifications; inquire about planting specifics at the nursery where you make your purchase.
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Spread mulch around the base of the tree, but leave a 6-inch ring around the tree with no mulch. Water liberally, except in the winter months, when you should only water when the soil is dry. Fertilize in the spring and after harvesting the cherries.
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Train the tree by pruning so that it has one main trunk with many side branches. Prune once in a year in the late winter while the tree is dormant.
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Harvest cherries only when they are completely ripe, because the sweetness of the cherry grows rapidly in the last few days of ripening. Take care not to damage the spur when harvesting, or you could damage next year's cherries.
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Tips & Warnings
Bing cherry trees require cross-pollination to produce fruit. Fortunately, they can cross pollinate with nearly any other sweet cherry. If you do not have such a tree near your planting location, plant two trees.
