All fruit trees certified virus free with a Limited 3 Year Fruit Tree Warranty. Click here for our FREE FRUIT TREE OFFER. All basic pruning requirements completed before delivery.
Cherry Tree Options Explained
Generic (Colt/G5/Other). Delivered 100-150cm, bush shape, 7-12L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt Bush Grows to 3.5m .Delivered 150-200 cm, bush shape, 12-15L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt (Half Standard) Grows to 3.5m. Delivered 150-200 cm, Half Standard (lollipop shape) 12+L pot, 2-3 years old.
Gisela 5, Patio, Grows to 2.5m. Delivered150-200 cm, bush shape, 12-15L pot, 2-3 years old.
Colt Half Standard 180-240cm.Delivered 180-240 cm, Half Standard (lollipop shape) 12-20L pot, 2-4 years old.
Generic. Delivered 100-180cm. Own roots (mature height of around 2.5m) or unknown rootstock.
Hexaploid Colt. Similar to Colt (3.5 metres) just a different rootstock.
F.12.1: Delivered 150-200cm, will grow to 4m +
Prunus Sunburst Cherry Tree
Sunburst Prunus avium 'Sunburst' has white flowers in the spring that attract pollinating insects, as with most cherry trees. They then produce large, very dark-red cherries which are sweet, and the taste has been described as exceptional and not by people who are easily pleased. The flesh is very juicy and a very dark red. Ripening in late July, Sunburst is very productive when grown in a sheltered position. Using Duct tape to attach an umbrella to the branches technically makes it a sheltered position, but consider this "experimental" as the RHS doesn't suggest it.
You won't find Sunburst cherry in the mainstream food stores for commercial reasons. The growers list it as "stores well" for a short period which sounds like it enjoys shopping a lot in short bursts. A good quality is maintained for around a week, possibly longer if refrigerated. For the best taste, eat straight from the tree, but picking them first might be easier.
Good resistance to splitting but regular and consistent watering until harvest gives better results.
Type of Cherry: Eating
Picking Period: Late July
Self-Fertile/Not Self Fertile: The Sunburst cherry is self-fertile, but will have a larger crop if cross-pollinated from other cherry trees in groups 3,4 and 5. Use Group 4 first.
Group 3: Athos, Black Oliver, Colney, Felicita, Hertford, Knight’s Early Black, Penny, Skeena, Summer Sun, Sweetheart.
Group 4: Amber Heart, Kordia, Stardust, Sylvia.
Group 5: Napoleon Bigarreau, Regina.
Planting Prunus Sunburst Cherry
Plant in clay, loam or sand that is moist and well-draining. Acid, Alkaline or neutral soils and a full sun position. Hardy to minus 15 degrees centigrade and prefers a sheltered spot.
Pruning Prunus Sunburst Cherry
Prune in summer after harvest in a multi-day sunny weather window to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease and others (maximum time for the wound to dry out). Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches.
More Information About Sunburst Cherry
If you are looking for the ornamental versions, click WEEPING CHERRY BLOSSOM
Parentage:Van x Stella
Developed by the Summerland Research Station, Canada in 1975.
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Sunburst Cherry Trees
Hi Alan, All arrived , one fig tree as a presenter my mum, she is delighted. The trees arrived as briefed, and are exactly as hoped. I have bought trees from other providers online and they have arrived looking as if they have travelled fro a long time and been kept in the dark, the guardian could look into this as a trees rights story. Your trees *(Jordan fig, Czar and Hermana plum and Sunburst Cherry) arrived on time and perfect, thank you Frank G 0919
*Added for transparency and clarity.
IF RISQUE AVERSE, SKIP THIS SECTION
Skills required to buy a Prunus Sunburst Cherry Tree. To know the difference between "shopping cart" and "shopping cartwheel" because one is lawful and the other is an eyeful.
Skills needed to correctly establish a Prunus Sunburst Cherry Tree in your garden. To know the difference between plant and aunt because only one of those you can fix being the root of the problem.
Skills required to prune a Prunus Sunburst Cherry Tree carefully. To know the difference between prune and porn because dealing with suckers is very different.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Cherry Tree Form Options Explained
Bush : This means there are branches that start close to the bottom of the tree.
Patio : Very well suited for container growing on patio (others usually can be too, this one is just better for it)
Maiden : The tree is 1-2 years old.
Half-Standard : The lower branches have been pruned off to give a more conventional "lollipop" tree shape
Bare Root : The Cherry tree is sent between November and March without any soil around the roots and no pot. Generally purchased because they are cheaper.
Cherry Tree Fruit Splitting
Cherries will split because of too much water. When it rains the roots take up water and as the air is humid, does not allow the cherry to "breathe". With container grown cherry trees, you can place an umbrella (we kid you not) over the tree to control watering to a better degree. If you find your garden planted cherry tree regularly has split cherry fruits, consider improving drainage close to the tree e.g. soakaways.
Planting Your Cherry Tree
Dig a hole three times wider than the pot in came in but just as deep. Place your cherry tree in the middle and fill with the remaining soil. If soil quality is in doubt, mix the excavated dirt with well rotted manure or compost to a 50:50 ratio. Water well (1-3 times a week depending on weather) for the next few weeks. Do not add fertilizer to the removed earth as the roots need to be encouraged to spread out. Do not plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
Planting Bare Root Cherry Trees
Soak the Cherry tree roots in a bucket of water for a few hours. Dig a hole wider than the rootball. Make a mound in the middle of the hole to support the centre of the cherry tree rootball whilst allowing you enough room to trail the roots out. The more you can spread them out the better. The previous dirt line on the tree will be evident, the mound needs to be large enough to ensure this is in line with the top of the hole. Placing a piece of straight wood across the whole gives you something to check alignment with. Basically don't plant the Cherry tree any deeper than what it was before it was rudely hauled out of the ground. Fill the voids with the fine earth first, you are aiming to eliminate all or most of the voids. Gently compress to firm the earth but not compact it. Do this in layers around 4-6 inches at a time.
Cherry Tree Aftercare
Add a mulch layer. This is to prevent weeds and grass competing for nutrients within a 1m or 3ft radius around the tree. Use gravel, mulch mats, manure, bark or whatever you want to block the light getting through. Do not use herbicides on or near a young tree.
Before new leaves appear in Spring, apply a Nitrogen/Potassium/Phosphorous fertilizer although they mainly need Nitrogen. Nettle compost soups are a cheap way of achieving this albeit labour intensive.
Container Growing Cherry Trees
One of the biggest problems you will have with container growing cherry trees is lack of water. If the soil is dry around 15cm or 6 inches into the soil it is time to water. We use a soil moisture meter because we are lazy, cautious and love gadgets.
Birds And Cherry Trees
There are many methods of deterring birds from eating your beloved cherry crop from threatening to sue them in bird court for theft to painting each cherry with lemon juice but by far the most effective method is to surround the tree with netting.
