Heirloom pie cherry grown for generations on an Aroostook County farm. One of our most promising finds in our search for varieties that really produce well in the Northeast. In the spring of ’09, Garfield trees in northern Maine flowered and fruited after –44°! Bright red fruit is similar to Montmorency. Hardy, productive, extremely long-lived, and proving to be very resistant to disease in our northern trials.
Although the original tree is long gone, it lives on in the form of innumerable young trees that have suckered up to 100' or more behind the farm along the edge of the ubiquitous potato field. Recommended for trial in all areas of northern New England. Z3. Maine Grown. (3–6' grafted bare-root trees) Limited supply—order early!
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 31
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
Stone Fruits Widely cultivated around the world and adaptable to most of New England. Not highly particular as to soils. Clingstone means the fruit’s flesh sticks to the pit (or stone) and a freestone pit drops cleanly away from the flesh. Like our apples and pears, all our stone fruits are grafted trees.
Sweet Cherries Prunus avium
Generally grow into large trees although the flowers are tender and fruiting can be iffy in central Maine and north. We are testing the hardiest varieties and hope to keep adding more varieties.
Mature trees reach 25–30' tall.
Pie Cherries Prunus cerasus
Also called Sour Cherries. Delicious enough to eat right off the tree and especially good in pies. They fruit in early to midsummer and don’t mind heavy soil. Pie cherries are generally divided into two groups: Morello types have dark red spherical fruit, dark juice and relatively small compact trees. Montmorency (or Amarelle) types have light red slightly flattened fruit, clear juice and medium-sized somewhat open trees.
Pie cherries are significantly hardier than sweet cherries but flower buds may be damaged in colder winters. We often encounter excellent crops in central Maine.
Mature trees reach 10–15' tall.
Other “Cherries” For some interesting fruits sometimes called “cherries,” see Cornelian Cherries and Nanking Cherries. Sometimes we also stock Bush Cherries and Dwarf Sour Cherries, so check back in future years!
Growing Sweet and Pie Cherries
Soil: Prefers well-drained fertile soil; pie cherries are more forgiving and adaptable than sweet cherries.
Sun: Full.
Pollination:
Most sweet cherries need a second variety for pollination, so plant two or more for best results.
