Cherry trees harvesting dates

[Dara]

Hi, I have an allotment since 2020 and am trying to create a fruit forest. My aim is to have different varieties of each fruit (most on dwarfing rootstocks), so the picking season can be extended. Is this approximate year planner I created ok in regards to cherry trees picking times? Thanks, Dani

[Snoop Puss]

Hello and welcome to the Vine, Dara.

I'm afraid I'm no authority on fruit trees, but we do have some members who are very knowledgeable, so I'm sure someone will come along with some suggestions.

Out of interest, in case it is relevant to people's answers, how big is your plot and how much of a gap are you leaving between the trees? And are you proposing to have just one of each?

[Dara]

Hi, my plot is 25m x 10m, its northern side (no neighbour there but it also works with the eastern side of a plot) is 25m long, so my tallest trees are planted there on St Julien A and Colt rootstocks. They are 3m apart, as that's usually how wide they become (1.5m from the centre of the tree). They can be even closer, if they are the same type of tree, for example cherries, as usually they don't fight but support eachother instead. Trees on smaller rootstocks I usually plant 1.5-2m apart but again, if it is the same type of trees, they can be grouped tighter tougher in twos, threes, or fours in triangular or rectangular shapes around 1m apart. My neighbour, for example, has two established cherry trees on colt rootstock that are about 1.5-2m apart and they are thriving. In a fruit forest, the there are different sizes of thees, shrubs and even herbs around, but I try to position them in such a way, that they all get enough sunlight. I hope this helps.

[ChingfordHarry]

I'd have a look at the commercial growers' websites (I like Keeper's and Root's nurseries) - they should have reliable information about fruiting times, and be able to advise how the season might vary in your area. I'd be tempted to go for Gisela 5 rootstock (disclaimer: I've just bought a load for grafting onto, so I have a personal bias) - Colt will give a tree that's eventually ~4m high, which can be interesting when you try picking the fruit at the top (back in the day, they used enormous ladders when harvesting cherries, but for most people a ladder is an accident waiting to happen).

What you're doing sounds similar to what I am doing here, but I've only got 5 rods... good luck!