Rainier Cherry Tree
A very large, beautiful, golden yellow fruit with a red blush, the Rainier Cherry Tree is one of the most popular cherries in markets and one of the best for the home gardener. Rainier Cherry bears abundant crops of sweet, richly flavored, firm and juicy fruit. Blooms in Early April and with fruit ripening in July to August.
Latin Name: Prunus avium
Site and Soil: Rainier Cherry Tree likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: Colt is considered a semi-dwarf rootstock which produces trees about 80% of standard size. Colt is adapted to most soils and is hardy, vigorous, productive, and forms a well-branched tree. Sweet Cherries on Colt rootstock can grow to 12-15 ft. in height.
Pollination Requirements: Requires another Sweet Cherry variety nearby for pollination.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 20° F or below.
Bearing Age: 2 – 3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 12-18 ft. in height.
Taste: Sweet, richly flavored, juicy
Fruit Skin: Golden yellow with red blush
Bloom Time: Early April
Ripening Time: July-August
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Bacterial Canker can damage Cherry trees. Symptoms of bacterial canker are dead branches and bronze colored exudation on branches or trunk. Apply a fall and winter copper spray to help prevent damage from this disease. To repel birds, you can cover your trees with netting or use flash tape to scare them away.
USDA Zone: 5-8