A short list

Facts

A compact reminder. The longer wording, and the disagreements, are on the topic pages and in the fact-check log.

Two crops

Sweet cherries, from Prunus avium, are for eating fresh and want a sunny spot. Acid cherries, from Prunus cerasus, are for cooking and will also take some shade, including a north-facing wall.

Two names, one plant

The RHS says acid cherries; Britannica says tart cherries. Both mean Prunus cerasus.

Self-fertile, usually better with a friend

Many modern sweet cherries, and the acid cherries in the list we checked, are self-fertile. Even then, a compatible partner nearby usually means a larger crop.

Rootstocks, and a height note

Garden trees are usually grafted onto Gisela 5 or Colt. Two official RHS pages do not give identical heights for either rootstock; Britannica’s 11-metre figure describes the species.

Plant in winter, prune in late summer

Plant while dormant, between November and March. Prune in late July or August, on a dry day, after the harvest, when the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker is lower.

Net, then pick ripe

Net the tree before the fruits start to colour up, and keep the netting taut. Pick only fully ripe cherries, by the stalk. They will not ripen further after picking.

Take out the stones

The pit contains amygdalin, a cyanide compound. Do not put whole cherries, stones and all, into a smoothie or a juicer.