Planting a cherry tree: instructions & tips from a professional

There is nothing better than snacking on juicy cherries from the tree in summer. We show how you can easily plant a cherry tree in your own garden.

The original home of the cherry (Prunus) is in Asia Minor in what is now Turkey. In summer, however, cherries have become indispensable in Central Europe. The sweet fruits are particularly popular with children and the kernels are spit out in competition. Unfortunately, the harvest season and what is available in stores are only limited. So that you can still stock up on enough cherries, you should definitely plant your own cherry tree in the garden.

Anyone who decides on a fruit tree would also like to enjoy them for a few years. Therefore, a few aspects should be considered right from the start.

Planting a cherry tree: as a pot or a ball?

The same cherry variety may be offered in the nursery as a container and as a bale product. While the plant was already cultivated as a container product in the pot in which it is also sold, the Bale goods cut out with a ball of earth from the field shortly before the order and usually with a so-called Ball line packed. Bale goods are therefore usually only available in early spring or autumn, while container goods can be bought and planted all year round. Bale goods are relatively robust due to the cultivation in the open air. In contrast to this, however, in the case of container goods, no root mass is lost through the cutting out and the sapling Develops very well in the first year, as it does not use any energy for the roots to grow back got to.

When to plant the cherry tree

The ideal planting time for cherry trees is in autumn (October / November). So they have enough time over the winter months to take root and to drive out vigorously in spring. Alternatively, planting in early spring (March / April) on a frost-free day is also possible.

Instructions for planting a cherry tree

If you have decided on a cherry tree, it should be planted as soon as possible after purchase. In the following, we will explain step by step how you can best proceed.

Materials needed to plant cherry trees

So that it goes quickly when planting the cherry tree, you should have some utensils ready:

• Spade, shovel, hoe
• Support pile, binding material
• Hammer, secateurs
• Potting soil, compost soil
• Trunk protection, coconut mat

Choose a suitable location for the cherry tree

So that your cherry tree grows well, you should think about the right location in advance. Cherry trees prefer a warm, sunny and sheltered place. The soil should not be too heavy and wet, because the cherry does not tolerate waterlogging well. A well-ventilated soil with a high proportion of humus is therefore ideal.

Tip from the professional: Not all cherry trees are self-fertile. It is best to find out more directly at the nursery. Another cherry tree may have to be planted in the vicinity in order to harvest delicious fruits.

Dig the planting hole for the cherry tree

The planting hole should be about twice the size of the root ball. Roughly prick the outline of the planting hole with the spade and then remove the meadow and the individual layers of soil piece by piece. It is best to pile up the soil near the hole, because it will be needed again later. It is best to dig the planting hole a third deeper than the tree's root ball is high. Finally, the soil at the bottom of the hole is loosened with a hoe.

Attach support post for cherry tree

Where there is already a hole, a support pole can also be driven in. This should be about the same height as the trunk of the cherry tree. It is best to drive the stake in on the west side so that the wind will later push the tree away from the stake and not against it.

Prepare the planting hole for the cherry tree

Make sure you have good starting conditions right at the beginning so that the cherry tree can grow well. To do this, pour a good layer of fresh potting soil into the hole and mix it well with a layer of compost. In addition, a fertilizer with organic long-term effects can be used – like ours, for example Plantura organic tomato fertilizer - be worked into the ground. This is slowly broken down by the microorganisms in the soil and gradually releases the nutrients to the tree.

Prepare the cherry tree before planting

So that there is no spiral growth of the roots in the long run, you should scratch them all around with a pair of scissors before inserting them. Then loosen it up with your hands. This measure will later promote the branching of the roots.

Tip from the professional:If the root ball appears very dry to you, the cherry tree can be briefly placed in a bucket of water again before planting.

Planting a cherry tree

Now you can place the tree in the middle of the planting hole and close the hole with the previously removed soil. By treading lightly on the earth, cavities that have arisen are closed. If you have problems with rodents in the garden, you can also attach trunk protection at this point to protect the young tree from nibbling attacks. In order to protect the freshly planted cherry tree from strong winds, it is tied a hand's breadth below the end of the post. Do not attach the rope too tightly so as not to constrict the tree.

Finally, you should water the cherry tree well. Sludging ensures that the earth settles well and the water reaches the roots. You can also put a coconut mat around the trunk of the tree. The ground cover suppresses the growth of weeds, which could represent nutrient competition for the shallow-rooted tree.

Planting a cherry tree summary:

• It is best to plant in autumn (October / November)
• A sunny, warm location is ideal
• Dig the planting hole at least twice as large and a third deeper
• Drive in the support post on the west side
• Bring in fresh potting soil
• Carefully score and loosen the root ball
• Place the tree in the middle of the hole and close with the excavated earth
• Tread the soil lightly and water it well
• Tie to a stake, attach anti-seizure protection and lay out a coconut mat

Care for the cherry tree after planting

After planting, you should provide your cherry tree with sufficient nutrients through annual fertilization. The best way to do this is to use compost or organic slow-release fertilizers that are applied to the tree grate. Since the young cherry tree has only a limited root volume in the first few years, you should ensure adequate watering, especially in the hot summer months. If you want to know more about the Cherry tree fertilization want to learn, you can find more information in our special article.

In addition, a so-called training pruning should be carried out in the first few years after planting. Later, a simple thinning cut is sufficient to remove diseased and old shoots. More information about the right one Cherry tree cut can be found in our special article.

Many thanks to Floragard for their support!