Growing Cherry Trees in Georgia

Cherry trees are not just visually stunning; they also produce tasty fruit each season. Four cherry trees are native to Georgia: chokeberry, pin berry, black cherry and Carolina cherry laurel. Pin berries, black cherries and chokeberries are popular for cooking. Native cherry trees are often lower maintenance than cherry trees from other parts of the country.

Things You'll Need

• Compost
• Builder's sand
• Sphagnum moss
• Lime
• Sulfur
• Shovel
• Mulch
• Fertilizer
• Garden hose
• Pruning saw
• Lopping shears
• Garbage bags

Instructions

1. Choose a planting location that has well-draining soil. To find out if your soil has adequate draining abilities, grab a handful and squeeze. Soil that releases moisture has poor draining abilities and must be amended with 6 inches of both compost and builder's sand. If the soil breaks into clumps, it is too dry and must be amended with sphagnum moss. Soil that is malleable in the hand has adequate drainage.

2. Conduct a soil pH test on the planting location. Chokeberry, pin berry and black cherry trees require a pH range between 6.8 and 7.2, while Carolina cherry laurel needs 4.5 to 8.0. Purchase a soil test from your local gardening store and collect a soil sample according to the directions. Amend soil that is too acidic with lime and that which is too alkaline with sulfur.

3. Remove any other vegetation around the planting area. Cherry tree seedlings are not able to thrive when they are competing with weeds and grass for the soil's nutrients. Hand pull weeds and dig up grass with a shovel.

4. Dig a hole in the early fall or winter to plant your cherry tree. Because Georgia experiences hot summers, it is essential that the plant have time to establish its root system during the mild winter. Your hole should be twice the diameter as your cherry tree's root ball and at the same depth as it is planted in the container. Place the tree in the hole and pack the soil around the base.

5. Water the tree thoroughly. Spread 6 inches of mulch around the base of the tree, but not touching the truck.

6. Fertilize cherry trees in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Use a fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) ratio of 12-16-12. Spread the fertilizer around the dripline of the tree. The dripline is the area directly underneath the outer branches. Water this area to activate the fertilizer. Reapply the fertilizer according to the directions.

7. Prune your cherry tree in the winter when the tree has entered dormancy. Choose the strongest and healthiest central leader (vertical growing shoot). Prune away any other competing leaders with either a pruning saw or lopping shears depending on the diameter of the branches. Remove any unhealthy branches by making a 45-degree downward cut to a healthy outward growing branch.

8. Remove all debris such as leaves, branches, blossoms or fruit that is underneath the tree to prevent fungal infections from growing in the fallen foliage. In addition, pests and wildlife will be attracted to the fruit and harm the rest of the tree.

9. Harvest your cherries by pulling up on the branches. Avoid pulling down on the fruit, because it will result in harming the branches.

Tips & Warnings

• Use native cherry trees to provide privacy for your home with their thick foliage.

• Avoid planting Carolina cherry laurel if you have children or pets, because the leaves are poisonous.

References

• University of Texas: Native Cherry Trees for Georgia
• Tree Help: Cherry
• British Columbia: Cherries in the Yard