Cherry tree care: sweet vs sour
Sweet cherries (*Prunus avium*) and sour cherries (*P. cerasus*) are distinct species with different growing requirements, sizes, uses, and degrees of difficulty. Sweet cherry trees are large, require a pollinator, are sensitive to cracking, and are harder to grow well in humid-summer climates..
Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and sour cherries (P. cerasus) are distinct species with different growing requirements, sizes, uses, and degrees of difficulty. Sweet cherry trees are large, require a pollinator, are sensitive to cracking, and are harder to grow well in humid-summer climates. Sour cherries are more compact, mostly self-fruitful, more disease tolerant, and in many respects the more practical choice for home orchards east of the Rockies.
I don't grow cherries at my zone 7a Long Island site. Both species are viable here, but bird pressure is substantial and netting a full-sized sweet cherry tree is a significant undertaking. This guide is sourced from Cornell, Penn State, and Michigan State Extension.
Sweet vs sour cherries at a glance
Per Penn State Extension:
| Characteristic | Sweet cherry (P. avium) | Sour cherry (P. cerasus) |
|---|---|---|
| Tree size | 20-35 feet (standard) | 8-15 feet |
| Self-fruitful | Most are not | Most are |
| Fruit use | Fresh eating | Cooking, juice, pies |
| Disease tolerance | Moderate | Good |
| Fruit cracking | Susceptible in rain | Less susceptible |
| Bird pressure | Very high | High |
| Climate adaptability | Zones 5-7 optimal | Zones 4-8 |