Cherry Tree Not Fruiting: How to Diagnose and Fix the Problem

For many gardeners, a cherry tree is a prized possession. They provide beautiful flowers in the spring, leafy shade in the summer, and of course, delicious fruit in the late summer. But what happens when your cherry tree fails to produce any fruit? Don't worry, there are steps you can take to diagnose and fix the problem.

Identifying the Problem

The first step in fixing a cherry tree that isn't fruiting is to identify the problem. There are several reasons why a cherry tree may fail to produce fruit:

1. Age: Cherry trees typically won't start producing fruit until they are 3-5 years old, and may not reach full production until they are 7-10 years old.
2. Poor Pollination: Cherries require cross-pollination between two different varieties for optimal fruit production. If your tree is a self-pollinating variety, it still may benefit from cross-pollination with another variety.
3. Climate: Cherry trees require a certain number of chilling hours during the winter in order to set fruit. If your area doesn't receive enough chilling hours, your tree may not produce fruit.
4. Pest or Disease: Certain pests and diseases can impact fruit production in cherry trees. Check for signs of damage or infestation.
5. Pruning: Over-pruning can reduce fruit production in cherry trees. Make sure you're pruning at the right time and properly.

Solutions to the Problem

Once you've identified the problem, you can take steps to address it:

Age

If your cherry tree is simply too young, there isn't much you can do but wait. Make sure you are providing proper care for the tree, such as watering and fertilizing appropriately, to ensure it reaches maturity as quickly as possible.

Poor Pollination

If poor pollination is the issue, consider planting a different variety of cherry tree nearby to cross-pollinate. You could also try hand-pollinating the flowers yourself by transferring pollen from one flower to another using a small paintbrush or cotton swab.

Climate

If your area doesn't receive enough chilling hours, you may need to consider relocating your cherry tree to a more suitable location. Alternatively, you could try to create artificial chilling by wrapping the tree in plastic sheeting or using a chilling unit.

Pest or Disease

If you suspect pests or disease, consult with a gardening expert or arborist to determine the appropriate solution. In some cases, you may need to use pesticides, while in others, you may need to prune the tree to remove affected branches.

Pruning

If over-pruning is the issue, make sure you're pruning at the right time and only removing the necessary limbs. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before the tree has started to bud.

If your cherry tree isn't fruiting, don't despair. By identifying the problem and taking the appropriate steps to address it, you can get your tree back on track and producing delicious fruit once again.

Cherry blossoms are a beautiful sight in the springtime, but if your cherry tree isn't fruiting, there may be a problem.

Cherry tree, fruit tree, gardening, orchard, pollination