Prunus avium

Zoete kers / Sweet cherry

Rosaceae (Rozenfamilie)

Asia (whole), Europe (whole)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (2)

Flowers, fruits
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

Seeds

Sweet cherry belongs to the small trees-large shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is fast. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 4 to 12 meter. and a width of 3 to 8 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. The Sweet cherry is decidious. It buds in april and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a deep root system. This species is slightly spreading in the food forest.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Geir Halvorsen, https://www.flickr.com/photos/damiel/27056096

foto: Geir Halvorsen, https://www.flickr.com/photos/damiel/27056096

foto: Joost J. Bakker, https://www.flickr.com/photos/194951624@N02/52021959493

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prunus_avium_fruit1.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early april, early may, mid may, end of may
Flowering period (length): month, several weeks, week
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: partially self-fertile, self sterile, varies per cultivar

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

sensitive

Main serious pests and diseases

spotted wing drosophila, birds, bacterial canker, gummosis

Harvest and Consumption

Flowers

Fruits

Harvest location edible part: Above reach, high, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: Varies per cultivar, early july, mid july, end of july, early august, mid august, end of august, early september, mid september, end of september
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks, week
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, hardness
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days, week
Suitable markets: Bulk
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 15
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 50

Culinary appreciation

High value, cherries are delicious.

References