Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Scotland’s climate, with its mild summers and cool winters, can provide suitable conditions for growing cherries with proper care and selection of hardy varieties. Whether you’re planting for fruit production, patio or dwarf sized or ornamental purposes, cherry trees can be a rewarding choice.
Growing Cherry Trees in Scotland
Scotland’s cooler climate is well-suited to cherry trees, particularly sweet cherry varieties like ‘Stella’ or tart varieties like ‘Morello’, which are hardy and tolerate lower temperatures.
Chilling Hours: Cherry trees require a period of winter dormancy with at least 700-1,200 chilling hours (temperatures below 7°C) to produce fruit. Scotland’s winters meet this requirement, ensuring a productive harvest.
Frost Risk: Late frosts in spring can damage blossoms. Protecting trees with fleece during frosty nights or choosing late blooming varieties can help mitigate this issue.
Sunlight: Cherry trees thrive in full sun, which promotes healthy growth and abundant fruit production. Choose a spot with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Types of Cherry Trees
Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium): Best for fresh eating; needs more sun and warmer conditions.
Sour Cherries (Prunus cerasus): More tolerant of cooler climates and partial shade; ideal for cooking and preserves.
We grow both of these types and varieties on semi-dwarf root stock and all do well in the Scottish climate.
There are many varieties of each type, producing from mid- to late summer. While many varieties are self-fertile, others need another cherry tree nearby that flowers at a similar time to ensure a good crop, check when you buy, the nursery will be able to advise the correct pollination partner.
Planting Cherry Trees
Plant cherry trees during their dormant season in late autumn to early spring. Avoid planting during frost or excessively wet conditions.
Site Selection: Choose a location with good air circulation and full sun. Avoid frost pockets or areas with stagnant air, which can increase the risk of disease.
Preparation:
Clear the area of weeds and enrich the soil with organic matter like compost such as Caledonian Green Goodness or Caledonian Kelpie Compost
We have ours planted into bottomless planters and in the food forest too. This one has been the first to fruit.
Planting Steps:
Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
Position the tree so the graft union (the raised area where the tree is grafted onto rootstock) is just above soil level.
Backfill with soil, firming it gently to eliminate air pockets.
Water thoroughly and add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Spacing
Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties: 2-4 meters apart.
Standard varieties: 6 meters apart.
Pruning Cherry Trees
Pruning is essential for maintaining the health, shape, and productivity of cherry trees.
Sweet Cherries: Prune in late summer after harvest to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.
Sour Cherries: Prune in late winter or early spring during dormancy.
Maintenance Pruning:
Annually remove vigorous vertical shoots and suckers (growth from the rootstock).
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
Thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation.
Shape the tree by cutting back overly long branches, maintaining an open, vase-like structure.
Care for Cherry Trees
Watering
Newly planted cherry trees require regular watering during the first year to establish their roots.
Once established, they need less frequent watering, but ensure consistent moisture during dry spells and fruiting periods, especially if you are growing in a large pot rather than in the ground.
Mulching
Apply a 5-10 cm layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, leaving a gap around the trunk to prevent rot.
Mulch retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves soil fertility.
Pest and Disease Control
Pests: Watch for aphids, cherry fruit flies, and caterpillars. Use organic sprays or encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds.
Diseases: Monitor for fungal infections like brown rot and bacterial canker. Prune affected areas and apply fungicides as needed.
This year we placed bags over the cherries as they grew to stop the birds from getting to them, as this was the first year they produced cherries it wasn’t too much to do. It was effective. Maybe larger bags to cover whole branches as they grow more in production.
Companion Planting for Cherry Trees
Companion planting can enhance the growth and health of cherry trees by deterring pests, improving soil quality, or providing beneficial shade.
Good Companions:
Marigolds: Repel nematodes and aphids.
Garlic and Chives: Natural pest deterrents.
Comfrey: Acts as a living mulch, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Bee-Friendly Flowers: Attract pollinators to improve fruit set.
Bad Companions:
Nightshades (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes): Susceptible to similar pests and diseases as cherry trees.
Walnut Trees: Produce a chemical called juglone that inhibits cherry tree growth.
Whether you grow sweet cherries for fresh eating or sour cherries for preserves, these versatile trees add a touch of elegance and productivity to any garden. With their stunning blossoms and delicious fruit, cherry trees are a worthwhile investment for Scottish gardeners.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
See more and follow Katrina & Clayton at the links below: