How to Harvest Cherry Trees
The average home cherry tree will produce about 30 to 50 quarts of cherries, according to the National Gardening Association, and a dwarf cherry tree will produce approximately 10 to 15 quarts of cherries. To successfully harvest cherries, pick them at the right time and in such a way that does not damage the tree for future cherry production. Cherries are typically harvested in early summer to midsummer, depending on the climate. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Harvest only the ripe cherries; they do not ripen once they are picked. Also, for sweet cherries, the last couple of days is when they become sweet. If you harvest them too soon, they will be sour. Most cherries are a deep, dark red color when ripe. A few cherries, such as Rainier and Royal Ann, have reddish skins mix with yellow and gold.
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Feel the cherries. They should be firm, not soft.
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Pick the cherries, and include the stems so they'll last longer. Do not carelessly rip them off, which can damage the wood on the parent branch and reduce the next year's harvest. Instead, pick gently or cut them with a pair of hand clippers.
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Harvest every other day for a week to successfully pick cherries when they are ripe but not overripe.
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Tips & Warnings
Store cherries in the refrigerator in a perforated bag; cherries spoil quickly at room temperature. Most varieties will last two or three days in the refrigerator, but sour cherries, such as Montmorency, can potentially last up to two weeks in the fridge.
You can also freeze or can cherries, if desired.
References
Resources
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