Dwarf North Star Cherry Tree – Tart, Compact Cherry Tree for Small Gardens 🍒🌳
The Dwarf North Star Cherry Tree is the perfect choice for those who want to grow cherries in smaller spaces without sacrificing flavor or fruit quality. This compact cherry tree produces tart, dark cherries with a rich, tart flavor that’s perfect for fresh eating, baking, and making preserves. Unlike traditional cherry trees, the Dwarf North Star is self-pollinating, making it easy to grow in gardens with limited space. Growing your own cherries not only ensures you have access to fresh, chemical-free fruit, but it also saves you money by reducing your reliance on store-bought produce. Whether you're enjoying them fresh, baking them into pies, or making delicious jams, the Dwarf North Star cherries are sure to satisfy.
USDA Growing Zones and Chill Hours
- Thrives in USDA Zones 4-8
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Requires 700-800 chill hours, making it perfect for cold climates with long winters ❄️
Pollination & Fruit Production
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Pollination: The Dwarf North Star Cherry Tree is self-pollinating, which means it does not require another tree to produce fruit, although planting additional trees can improve yield and fruit size.
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Recommended Varieties: Planting varieties like Montmorency or Balaton nearby can improve pollination and increase fruit size.
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Fruit Description: The cherries are small to medium-sized with a dark red to purple color, juicy flesh, and a tart taste.
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Taste: Known for their tart flavor, Dwarf North Star cherries are perfect for pies, jams, or fresh snacking.
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Ripening Time: The fruit ripens in mid-summer, typically around July.
How to Plant & Grow Dwarf North Star Cherry Trees
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Sun Requirements 🌞: Full sun is essential, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and fruit production.
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Soil Requirements 🌿: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.0).
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Spacing 🌳: Space trees 6-8 feet apart to allow enough room for proper air circulation and healthy growth.
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Mature Size 🌳: The Dwarf North Star Cherry Tree reaches a mature height of 6-8 feet, making it ideal for small gardens or even container growing.
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
- 1️⃣ Prepare the Soil 🧑🌾: Select a sunny spot with well-draining, fertile soil. Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter for optimal fertility.
- 2️⃣ Dig a Hole 🕳️: Dig a hole that is at least twice the size of the root ball to allow ample space for root growth.
- 3️⃣ Position the Plant 🌿: Place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- 4️⃣ Backfill & Water 💧: Fill the hole with soil, press gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly to settle the roots in place.
- 5️⃣ Mulch Around the Base 🌱: Apply mulch or Weed Pro Weed Mats around the base of the tree to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
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Watering 💧: Keep the soil consistently moist during the first year. Once mature, water deeply once a week during dry spells, making sure the soil does not become soggy.
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Pruning ✂️: Prune in the late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood. Pruning after fruiting will help shape the tree for the next growing season.
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Fertilizing 🍃: Use Nutra-Pro 1st Year Fertilizer Paks during the first year to encourage strong root growth. For mature trees, use a balanced fertilizer in spring to support fruit production.
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Protection 🛡️: Use Max Growth Tree Shelters to protect young trees from pests, extreme weather, and animals 🌳🛡️.
Ripening Time, Taste & Uses
- Ripens in mid-summer, typically in July, providing a tart harvest of cherries.
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Tart cherries 🍒 with a firm texture, perfect for both fresh consumption and culinary uses.
- Ideal for eating fresh, making cherry pies, jams, or using in savory dishes like cherry-glazed chicken 🍒🍯.
Delicious Recipes
Cherry Jam 🍯🍒
Ingredients:
- 5 cups Bing cherries (pitted and halved)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice 🍋
- 1 packet pectin
Instructions:
- 1️⃣ Cook cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot over medium heat until the cherries soften 🍒🍋.
- 2️⃣ Stir in pectin and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- 3️⃣ Pour into sterilized jars, seal, and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes 🍯.
Cherry Cobbler 🍒🍯
Ingredients:
- 4 cups Bing cherries (pitted and halved)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon 🌿
Instructions:
- 1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) 🔥.
- 2️⃣ Mix cherries, sugar, and cinnamon in a baking dish 🍒🍯.
- 3️⃣ Combine flour and melted butter to form a crumbly topping, and sprinkle it over the cherries.
- 4️⃣ Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling 🍒🍞.
Cherry Smoothie 🍒🥤
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Bing cherries (pitted and frozen)
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey 🍯
- 1/4 cup almond milk
Instructions:
- 1️⃣ Blend cherries, banana, yogurt, honey, and almond milk until smooth 🍒🥥.
- 2️⃣ Serve chilled for a refreshing, healthy drink 🥤!
Essential Products for Maximum Growth
- ✅ Max Growth Tree Shelters – Protects young trees from pests and weather extremes 🌳🛡️.
- ✅ Nutra-Pro 1st Year Fertilizer Paks – Supports strong root development and fruit production 🌿.
- ✅ Soil Moist Transplant Mix – Helps retain moisture and reduces transplant shock 💧.
- ✅ Weed Pro Weed Mats – Prevents weeds from competing for water and nutrients 🌱.
Why Buy from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC?
- ✅ Large Selection 🌳 – Wide variety of high-quality, healthy plants
- ✅ Best Prices 🏷️ – Competitive pricing for premium plants
- ✅ Fastest Shipping 🚚 – Quick and reliable delivery
- ✅ Free One-Year Plantsurance Guarantee 🛡️ – Store credit if your plant doesn’t survive its first year
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