I’m setting up plots for various fruit trees in land in the mountains of SW VA. Which sweet cherry would this community suggest for zone 6b in the SW VA mountains? Elevation is about the same as the Grayson Highland state park. They will be planted on a south facing hillside, full sun.
Lapin, Sam Sweet, Stella? I am so confused at this point.
Thanks all for your gentle guidance.
You pick, they will all work. I’m at the top part of Va with about 8 varieties. You will most likely have to spray them for insect and brown rot. I’ve had less problems with cherry than other stone fruit though. Here is my cherry report. East Coast Cherry Report
Lapins and Stella are old self-fertile varieties and there are better ones today. White Gold is my favorite self-pollinating variety. Regina is a good all-around cherry for me but it needs a pollination partner. Robert’s link references the VT guide which will give you more info (their varieties are a bit outdated however). If you are spraying the biggest problems with cherries are cracking and bacterial canker. Some years there is no cracking and some years its crazy.
Thank you so much for the information. I’ve read your cherry report and I’ve downloaded the VT report, have begun reading it, as well as the other posts I’ve found in my searches.
One question - I am struggling to find a source (other than big box or online) to order my trees. I’m not going for a huge orchard, only 2 - 4 trees to start.
Any suggestions on a source to buy trees?
It may be “late” in the season to be buying trees, so you may need to get what you can get if you have to have trees this year. Looks like One Green World has some. I’ve ordered from them, they were okay. They used mostly Colt rootstock, which is purported to be good in clay VA soils.
Your biome/soil/climate if at >4000ft elevation may be something unique in east coast. There are tree species that exist in those elevations that do not exist elsewhere. So you could have unique benefits or challenges others may not face. I think you should have less fungal/bacterial issues due to lower humidity.
BTW, north facing slope may be better if you want to delay blooms. Your trees would be less prone to flower/fruit loss due to frost.
Edible Landscaping is not that far from you. They mail order or you may be close enough to drive there. They sell potted trees. I’ve always been happy with what I have bought from them. Big box is ok if you can find cherry.
I won’t be ready to plant until fall - spring, trying to get my ducks in order as I prepare the ground. Thank you for the resource!!
Good luck, neighbor (I’m outside Damascus). You’re being more disciplined than me- I haven’t prepared my ground, I just planted a bunch of trees (and am hoping for the best). I based my fruit choices primarily on what the local stores were selling, but I did mail order a Ranier cherry. So in a few years I can give you an update (I planted 4 different cherries)
Kevin
Ediblelandscape has an upcoming in person event that also offers 20% off June 1st. I think they also have another event in the fall as well, depending on when you want to plant. I got plants from them earlier this year and am quite happy with them.
You also evidently get to try stuff based off the flyer thing they have on their Facebook.
Well hey neighbor!
I’m actually testing the soil this month. I’ve got apple, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, and blueberry, as well as weeping willows to plant in the fall and next spring.
I’m actually in our camper in Damascus this week!!
Good luck with yours!!
Thank you for sharing that with me. I’ll take a look at them this week.
Really appreciate all the input.