Miniature Cherry Fruit Trees for Landscaping

North Star

• Prunus "North Star" is a sour cherry cultivar that grows to a mature height of 7 to 9 feet with a canopy spread of 8 to 10 feet. White flowers are produced by this tree in the spring followed by sour cherries that ripen in June. These cherries are large with bright red skin and yellow flesh. While they are edible, they are truly sour and generally used for cooking. This sour cherry cultivar is disease-resistant but not disease-proof. It may still be afflicted by the same diseases and insect infestations as other cherry trees. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 but may suffer flower bud injuries due to cold temperatures and hard frost. This tree needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day and the soil must drain well. North Star will not survive in soil that stays too wet. This cherry tree is self-pollinating and will produce fruit when planted alone.

Lapins

• Prunus avium "Lapins" is a naturally small sweet cherry hybrid. With a mature height of 8 to 10 feet and canopy width of only 6 to 8 feet, this tree is well-suited to suburban landscaping. This is a self-fertile tree that is hardy in zones 5 through 7. It produces white flowers in the spring followed by dark red-black sweet cherries. The cherries are generally ready to eat by the end of July. This cherry tree will grow in most soil types with good drainage but prefers sandy loam. It should be planted where it will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Sucker shoots should be removed as soon as they appear.

Meteor

• Prunus cerasus "Meteor" grows to a mature height and canopy width of 10 to 15 feet. This hybrid was created to thrive in harsh winter climates. It is hardy in zones 3 through 7. Its white spring blooms are followed by bright red cherries that ripen in late June or July. These cherries are eaten fresh and used in cooking. Meteor cherry trees will grow well in average soil as long as it drains well but prefer loamy soil. They should be planted where they will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.

Craig's Crimson

• Prunus avium "Craig's Crimson" is a type of sweet cherry that grows to a mature height and canopy width of 12 to 15 feet. This hybrid is a natural semi-dwarf cherry tree that is self-pollinating. The sweet crimson cherries are generally ready to eat by the end of July. This small cherry tree is well-suited to use as an ornamental landscape tree. It will grow in most types of soil that drain well but prefers sandy loam. This cherry tree also should be planted where it will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Remove sucker shoots as they emerge. Craig's Crimson is hardy in zones 5 through 9.