CHERRY EARLY RIVER

Planting Cherry ‘Early Rivers’

Cherry ‘Early Rivers’ is a traditional early-season sweet cherry valued for its dark red, juicy fruit and attractive white spring blossom. It develops into a productive deciduous tree and is suitable for an orchard, lawn or sheltered fruit garden. Its eventual size depends heavily on the rootstock, so confirm the expected height and spread before selecting a permanent position.

• Choose a warm, sheltered location in full sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight daily supports flowering, fruit development and sweetness.

• Avoid exposed sites and frost pockets. Late spring frost can damage blossom and substantially reduce the crop.

• ‘Early Rivers’ is not reliably self-fertile and normally requires a compatible sweet cherry flowering at the same time nearby for cross-pollination.

• Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Cherries perform best in deep loam and dislike ground that remains waterlogged.

• Avoid planting where another cherry or related stone-fruit tree recently grew, as soil-borne pests and diseases may remain present.

• Water the root ball thoroughly. Dig a hole approximately twice its width but no deeper than its existing height.

• Position the tree with the upper roots level with the surrounding ground. Keep the graft union clearly above the soil surface.

• Backfill with the excavated soil, firm gently and water deeply. Do not add concentrated fertiliser directly to the planting hole.

• Secure a young tree to a suitable stake with a soft, adjustable tie. Apply organic mulch around the root zone while keeping it away from the trunk.

Watering, Feeding and Fruit Care

Reliable moisture is particularly important while the tree establishes and while its cherries are swelling. Irregular watering can result in small fruit, premature fruit drop or splitting following heavy rain.

• Water regularly during the first two growing seasons. Soak the root area deeply rather than applying small amounts only around the trunk.

• Continue watering established trees during prolonged dry periods, especially between flowering and harvest.

• Apply a balanced fruit-tree fertiliser in early spring before active growth begins. Follow the recommended rate because excessive nitrogen encourages soft shoots and fewer fruits.

• Apply a high-potassium feed in spring if the soil is deficient or the tree is grown in a container.

• Renew a 5–8 cm layer of well-rotted compost or composted bark each spring to conserve moisture and improve the soil.

• Keep a weed-free area around young trees. Avoid deep hoeing because cherry roots can grow close to the soil surface.

• Protect blossom from severe frost with horticultural fleece where practical, removing it during the day so pollinating insects can reach the flowers.

• Protect ripening cherries from birds using properly secured netting or a fruit cage. Check coverings regularly to ensure wildlife cannot become trapped.

• Pick cherries when they are fully coloured, sweet and easily detached. Harvest them with their stalks attached to improve storage life.

• Remove split, damaged or rotting fruit promptly, as deterioration can spread quickly through crowded clusters.

Pruning and Ongoing Maintenance

Cherry trees are vulnerable to silver leaf disease and bacterial canker when pruned during cold, wet weather. Complete necessary pruning during dry summer conditions when cuts can heal quickly.

• Prune young trees to create an open, balanced framework with well-spaced branches. The preferred structure will depend on the rootstock and intended training system.

• Prune established trees immediately after harvesting, generally between midsummer and early autumn during dry weather.

• Remove dead, damaged, diseased, crossing or inward-growing branches. Use clean, sharp tools and make neat cuts without leaving long stubs.

• Avoid severe pruning whenever possible. Reduce an overgrown tree gradually across several summers rather than removing many large branches at once.

• Shorten vigorous shoots if necessary to control size and improve light penetration around the developing fruiting wood.

• Remove shoots growing from below the graft union promptly. These belong to the rootstock and will not produce the named variety.

• Check the tree regularly for aphids, caterpillars, scale insects and cherry fruit fly. Rolled or distorted young leaves often indicate aphid activity.

• Watch for sunken bark, amber-coloured gum or dying shoots, which may indicate bacterial canker. Remove affected growth during dry summer weather.

• Inspect leaves for silvering or premature dieback and avoid winter pruning, which increases susceptibility to silver leaf disease.

• Check the tree tie annually, loosening it as the trunk expands. Remove the stake when the root system can support the tree securely.

• With full sun, compatible pollination, reliable moisture and careful summer pruning, Cherry ‘Early Rivers’ will provide beautiful spring blossom and rewarding crops of richly flavoured early cherries

• Size
  10 lt

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
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