My husband wants a cherry tree

Joan K
by Joan K
Looking for advice on Cherry Tree's. I live in Zone 5 (Chicago Area). The planting would be on North side of our house. I've seen on-line that there are many different varieties. Any advice for me?
  13 answers
  • 3po3 3po3 on Feb 13, 2013
    I would go with the recommendations of your Illinois Cooperative Extension folks. They suggest a few varieties here: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/fruit/cherries.cfm?section=tree
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 14, 2013
    Joan, I doubt that the north side of your house is a good location for a cherry tree. How much sun do you get there, and how large is the space?
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Feb 14, 2013
    What type of cherry tree were you thinking? Upright or weeping? There are many varieties that can grow quite large. Some of the weeping varieties will tend to stay a little smaller. If you go with an upright, you could plant smaller shrubs under it. If you go with a weeping, you will be limited to growncover type plants under and around the tree. They do like sun but will grow in part shade.
  • Joan K Joan K on Feb 14, 2013
    Thank you all for the comments. The space use to have a mature ash tree, but the borers got to it and we removed it last spring and had stump ground down. The space has indirect sun all day. I would want an upright tree.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 15, 2013
    Acorn will no doubt have more experience with cherry trees than I have, but they seem rather prone to disease and other issues, and I would worry that those problems might be exacerbated where the light is reduced.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Feb 15, 2013
    Douglas has a point that the tree will survive there but it would do better in full sun. Another alternative would be to look at Redbuds and Dogwoods as they grow naturally at the edge of woods and would do quite nicely in this environment.
  • Located in zone 5 we have used the Kwanzan Flowering Cherry and the Okame Flowering Cherry. The northside of the the house does make the sunlight a factor with a smaller tree. The Kwanzan would do better in reduced light but be sure that the soil is also well drained with plenty of moisture. Acorn will have some more ideas too.
  • Joan K Joan K on Feb 15, 2013
    Thanks all. Do they attract Japanese beetles?
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Feb 15, 2013
    If the area is wet, you could try an Almalanchier or Shadblow. They have beautiful white flowers in the sping and berries that birds just love. The bark is also of interest and the leaves will give you a nice fall color. Is there a reason you have selected a Cherry Tree Joan? The climate is very similar here in Rochester, NY and we have had good success with all the trees I have mentioned in landscape designs.
  • Joan K Joan K on Feb 15, 2013
    Acorn - It's really my husband who wants one. :-) They are very pretty when flowering (what I like) but hubby wants to have edible fruit as well. The area is not wet. Is there a better fruit tree for our zone that also flowers that would be more successful?
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 16, 2013
    Joan, I'll throw caution to the wind and suggest you plant a pawpaw, Asimina triloba. They have gorgeous dark flowers and stand a decent chance of producing fruit--which is very tasty--in a partial sun situation. Plus, the leaves exude a natural insecticide that helps the tree protect itself from pests.
  • Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls on Feb 16, 2013
    I have not used a Pawpaw, it does seem to be a nice option for you Joan. It will handle the shade and provide you with fruit. It does not appear to require a lot of insectides etc to maintain it and this is a problem with many fruit trees if you want to eat the fruit. What fruit you do not eat, will have to be picked up in the fall. Very good choice Douglas!
  • Joan K Joan K on Feb 16, 2013
    Thanks so much for all the advise Douglas and Acorn!