Cherry Bushes Vs. Dwarf Cherry Trees

There isn't anything more frustrating than spending years growing a large fruit tree just to find that the size has made it unmanageable or the top is so tall that only birds can reach the fruits. Gardeners are increasingly seeking solutions to these kinds of problems by selecting dwarfed trees or fruits that grow on bushes. Apples have long been the target of dwarfing experiments, but cherries have not experienced a lot of success. Since 2000, however, great strides have been made in developing root stock that allow for better dwarf cherry trees. Today's gardeners no long have to ask themselves if they can take care of a 30-foot tall cherry tree -- now the question is whether to grow cherries on bushes or on trees grafted onto dwarf rootstock.

Cherries come in two types: sour and sweet. Sweet cherries have a higher sugar content and do not contain citric acid. They are generally considered best for fresh eating. Sour cherries, also known as pie cherries, are usually lower in sugar content (though some of the newer varieties buck this trend) and contain citric acid, which gives them a slightly tart flavor. Sour cherries are generally chosen for preserves, jams, pies and can be used for fresh eating.

Bush cherries produce sour cherries. These plants are genetically compact, allowing them to grow in tight spaces. Most bush cherries will not exceed 10 feet in height. The fruit produced by bush cherries tend to be small, however. Sweet cherries are available as dwarfed trees, but require a great deal of care for success. Because of the dwarfing rootstock, they tend to produce sooner than standard=size sweet cherry tress. Many varieties of sweet cherries are being grafted to dwarf root stocks and are or will soon be available commercially, including Stella, a self-fruitful sweet cherry variety.

A few cherry plants are considered genetic dwarfs. These tiny cherry trees grow to about 10 feet at maturity and usually bear sour cherries. One variety that is seen often in nurseries is North Star. North Star is being used to develop other genetic dwarfs and was a parent to SK Carmine Jewel, a 2009 release. Other breeding experiments have resulted in Juliet, Valentine, Cupid, Romeo and Crimson Passion. Genetic dwarf cherry trees are easier to care for than grafted trees because they lack an easily damaged graft union.

When choosing between a bush cherry and a tree cherry, know how to train each. The bush cherries have a bushing habit, with new branches emerging directly from the crown each year. They tend to need little pruning maintenance beyond thinning out old wood and keeping the number of new shoots in check. Dwarf trees, like all cherry trees, are trained into a modified leader system. The goal is the same as with bush cherries -- keeping the center open so all leaves can get equal access to light. However, these systems require a great deal more upkeep and training.