Native Varieties
Cherry trees are ancient trees that have been cultivated by humans over thousands of years for their sour but tasty fruits. Most countries around the world grow a native variety of cherries, each of which have a specific color, size and flavor. Depending on the variety, the tree will reach twenty to thirty feet in height and start producing cherries after about 6 or 7 years.
Delicious ripe cherries can be enjoyed freshly picked or cooked in desserts and baking recipes. Sour cherries make up the majority of the cherries grown today, though some sweet varieties do exist. So let’s explore how these delectable fruits develop and how old they get.
How Cherries Develop
Cherry tree fruits are formed each spring after the flowers bloom and develop into an edible fruit. Most cherry trees have white flowers that are incredibly fragrant and attract bees, birds and other pollinators to help with the pollination process.
Unlike other fruits and vegetables, cherries don’t just grow from the same tree year after year. You need to plant new cherry trees every few years in order to continuously keep producing fruit because barren trees will stop producing within a few years.
Harvesting Time
At harvesting time, ripe cherries have a beautiful deep red hue and are very juicy, though it is possible to pick them a few days before they are ripe. Cherries also have loads of natural sugars, so depending on your taste, they can be made into jams and preserves, eaten as snacks or juiced.
You’ll typically be able to start harvesting cherries from your tree once it’s about five to six years old, though it may take longer depending on the variety and climate. This means the tree will get to a certain maturity before it starts bearing fruit but the fruit will only last a few weeks.
Fruit Lifespan
Depending on how ripe the cherries are when you pick them as well as the type of container you use to store them, cherries can last anywhere from two to six weeks. If you need to store them, you can either refrigerate them or keep them in an airtight container.
Store-bought cherries will stay fresh for a little longer since they have been frozen and typically last up to three months. This is another great way to get cherries in the peak season and remember to always inspect them before using them, as freshness will affect their taste as well as texture.
Uses
Cherry trees provides not just delicious, plump fruit, but also beautiful foliage in the spring. The leaves of the cherry tree are green, then turn to orange in autumn, making the tree a colourful addition to any garden.
Furthermore, an old cherry tree can help create a habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife in an urban setting. This makes the cherry tree not just an ornamental tree, but one with a role in wildlife conservation.
Nutrition
Cherries are highly nutritious, containing Vitamin C, carotene and potassium. While cherry trees are not known for their fruit’s medicinal properties, extracts from the flowers and leaves of some cherry trees have been used traditionally in herbal medicine.
In addition to eating cherries, you can use the wood in furniture making, carved bowls and other decorative items. Cherry wood is one of the most valuable and sought after woods, making it even more desirable as a sustainable resource.
Conclusion
Cherry trees have been around for centuries, providing us with not just sweet and juicy fruit, but also having a role in ecology and furniture making. Whether you’re looking for an ornamental tree, a source of nutrition or even just a unique wood supplier, an old cherry tree is a great way to go.
