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Ripe red cherries hanging on a tree
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When to plant cherry trees in Hermiston, OR

Plant cherry trees in Hermiston Mar 20 – May 15.

Tricky here Plant bare-root or potted trees

Difficulty
Tricky here
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
15 to 20 feet apart (8 to 10 feet on dwarf rootstock)
Planting depth
Graft union 2 to 3 inches above the soil
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
First cherries in three to five years

Why these dates

Hermiston's typical last spring frost is April 26. As a hardy perennial, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

How to grow cherry trees in Hermiston

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant cherry trees Mar 20 – May 15, 15 to 20 feet apart (8 to 10 feet on dwarf rootstock). Graft union 2 to 3 inches above the soil.
  3. Choose a dwarfing rootstock like Gisela so you can net the tree. Water deeply through the first two summers, and prune in summer during dry weather to reduce canker.
  4. Harvest: Pick sweet cherries when they're fully colored and taste sweet; they don't ripen after picking. Keep the stems on for longer storage.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Choosing a variety and rootstock

Sweet cherries on standard rootstock grow into big trees that are impossible to net, so most backyard growers choose a dwarfing Gisela rootstock. These trees stay small enough to cover with bird netting and fruit sooner. They do need good soil, steady water and usually a stake.

Self-fertile varieties like Lapins and Stella fruit on their own and can also pollinate Rainier, which needs a partner. Sour cherries such as Montmorency are self-fertile, bloom later, resist cracking and make the best pies, which makes them a reliable choice for rainy west-side gardens.

East vs west of the Cascades

Cherries love the dry, sunny summers east of the Cascades, which is why the region's commercial orchards are there. West of the mountains, a rainy spell near harvest lets ripe cherries absorb water through their skins until they split. Crack-resistant varieties like Lapins help, as does a tree small enough to cover with a tarp before rain.

Bacterial canker is also more common on the wet side. It shows up as oozing gum and dying branches in spring. Prune only in dry summer weather, never in winter.

Pests and harvest

Birds are the biggest cherry thief. Net the whole tree just as fruit starts to color, and tuck the netting closed underneath. Cherry fruit fly and spotted wing drosophila lay eggs in ripening fruit; picking promptly and cleaning up fallen fruit both help.

Cherries don't ripen after picking, so taste a few before harvesting. Pick with the stems attached and refrigerate right away: they keep about a week cold, and much less on the counter.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Hermiston, OR?

Typically April 26. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Hermiston Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant cherry trees in Hermiston?

The spring planting window runs through May 15. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer.

How long until I can pick cherry trees?

First cherries in three to five years. Pick sweet cherries when they're fully colored and taste sweet; they don't ripen after picking. Keep the stems on for longer storage.

Why do my cherries split before they're ripe?

Rain on ripening cherries is soaked up through the skin until the fruit bursts. Grow crack-resistant varieties like Lapins, keep the tree small enough to cover before rain, or grow sour cherries, which crack less.

Do I need two cherry trees?

Not if you plant a self-fertile variety like Lapins or Stella. Many other sweet cherries, including Rainier, need a different variety nearby that blooms at the same time.

How do I keep birds off my cherry tree?

Drape bird netting over the whole tree as the fruit begins to color and close it at the bottom. That's why a dwarf rootstock like Gisela is so useful: you can actually reach over the tree.

Also plant in Hermiston around the same time

Planting dates for cherry trees in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Hermiston · Cherry trees in every city