When is the best time to plant cherry trees in your garden?

When is the best time to plant?

Gardeners have long debated when to plant cherry trees, but they agree on one thing: no one recommends planting cherry trees in the summer, as the stress they've experienced can kill the tree. To ensure a successful establishment, plant the cherry tree only when it's dormant.

What does the choice of time depend on?

There's no definitive answer to the question of when it's appropriate to plant cherry tree seedlings: it all depends on the climate zone you live in. For example, in the northern regions of our country, where winter temperatures reach a harsh -40°C (-40°F), spring planting is strictly recommended. However, in the southern regions, you can plant in the spring, or you can wait until autumn, or even bury the seedlings for the winter, awaiting spring planting.

Pros and cons of spring planting

How do you plant a cherry tree outdoors in spring? The same as any other fruit tree. This should be done early, before the buds have opened. If you miss the moment and the cherry tree's leaves have already opened, the tree will have a hard time establishing itself. It's important to pay attention to the soil—it should be clear of any remaining snow.

Cherry trees planted in the spring are in a more favorable position for their root system: it has time to get used to the soil, and by the beginning of the sap flow period, it can supply vital energy to the leaves. But the harvest is delayed somewhat - at least for 1 year: immediately after planting, the cherry tree will most likely not bloom, and therefore there is no harvest to be expected.

Pros and cons of planting in autumn

Planting cherry trees in the fall is recommended only in southern regions, where severe frosts are unheard of. However, even here, trees should be planted no later than September, otherwise the first frosts can severely damage the cherry's fragile root system. It's also essential to provide additional insulation for the root zone by thoroughly mulching the planting site. Don't forget to thoroughly insulate the young tree.

Of course, before planting a cherry tree in the fall, you need to prepare yourself for the risk of the tree dying. But if everything is done correctly, this won't happen. In the spring, the young cherry tree begins to grow rapidly, wasting no time adapting after planting, and next summer, you might even be able to pick one or two ripe cherries.

Of course, spring planting is considered more favorable for the plant, but what can you do? After all, the choice of fruit seedlings is especially rich in autumn. Now you know that properly performed autumn planting doesn't harm the tree at all; on the contrary, it even hardens and strengthens it.

Knowing how to properly plant and grow a fruit tree in fertile (and crucial!) soil will ensure a good harvest. Could you expect any other outcome?

Video: "Correct Cherry Tree Planting"

This video will teach you how to properly plant your favorite fruit tree in your garden.