Cherry trees - suitable for Scottish climate?

scottishminnie

Apologies if this is a really silly question however I was looking for some seed potatoes and got sidetracked when I saw this

http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/seeds-plants-gardening/80653/cherry-sunburst

would this really survive in a Scottish climate? i don't have a greenhouse and my garden is pretty open to the elements, at the top of a hill and in the country so no other gardens to shelter/protect it.

I have a couple of apple trees which produce fruit nicely and my intention was to add another fruit tree this year, perhaps pear, although I'd be happy to try this if some experts could give me a view.

thanks

RAS

I really do not know. I have seen Morello cherries grown on north-facing slopes on the Sognfjord in Norway, although some were frost damaged (there were fire piles in the orchard but the farmer must have been caught out and not lit them in time.

If you want to grow a pear why not try one of the Scottish varieties like the Green Pare of Yair? There used to be 12-20 varieities growing in the Carse of Gowre.

stumpycat

Well, according to this website:
http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growing-cherry-trees.html
-They don't like long hot summers. -They need a chilling out period during the winter.
-They don't need a late frost!



So you only really need to worry about late frosts here!
Most of the cherries in the USA come from Washington State which has a similar climate to Scotland - Rainier cherries are lovely.


Hmmm, I may start growing some myself - I'll probably have lots of spave in my garden as I reckon that quite a lot will have snuffed it after spending 6 weeks + under ice...

cootambear

http://www.orangepippinshop.com/collections/fruit-trees-north-west-scotland

realfood

Cherries grow quite well in Scotland. However, choose a self-fertile variety for ease of fruiting. You will need to net the trees against the birds otherwise they will be eaten before they are ripe. Since squirrels invaded my area, I have only managed to harvest a handful of cherries. Only metal netting will deter them. If you have squirrels, do not bother growing cherries.
There is advice on choosing varieties and rootstocks here :- http://www.growyourown.info/page179a.html

System

I'm in Glasgow and I've got a cherry tree!! It's a 'Stella' variety and I got it from Lidls a couple of years ago. Plenty blossom last year but no cherries as yet, although the bids or squirrels may have beaten us to the fruit!
Linda x

scottishminnie

thanks all. I'll do some more investigating on the pear tree although I think I'll chance it for the cherry.

I will need to protect from the birds as I have lots in the garden, in fact they can damage my apples by pecking at them but the trees are too big to net now. I don't have any squirrels which is a shame as I think they are the smartest little creatures ever.
My husband doesn't share my love for them though, he refers to them as "rats with tails" and would happily treat them to the same treatment as my rabbit problem - bullets.
Before anyone gets upset about him shooting the rabbits I have to say he has blasted more rhodedendron bushes and shrubs over the years than rabbits (and that is despite me buying him a good quality scope for his gun!)

scottishminnie

cootambear wrote: »

http://www.orangepippinshop.com/collections/fruit-trees-north-west-scotland

Thanks for this - it looks like the kind of site where I could spend a small fortune! I like the sound of the "invincible" pear tree - sounds just like what I need!

cootambear

scottishminnie wrote: »

Thanks for this - it looks like the kind of site where I could spend a small fortune! I like the sound of the "invincible" pear tree - sounds just like what I need!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JgbOkLdRaE&feature=&p=B76098C18AF5EBF8&index=0&playnext=1

yes, £35 for a tree is painful, though these sites usually offer fairly well established trees that should crop quickly. if you can wait until early autumn, LIDL offer 2 trees for £5, though they are young trees.

you will need two trees that flower at the same time for pollination.

RAS

cootambear wrote: »

you will need two trees that flower at the same time for pollination.

There are however a number of self-fertile varieities which will alllow you to grow a single tree.

realfood

Lidl usually has fruit trees and bushes for sale in the Spring.