bing dwarf cherry

Bing Dwarf Cherry: A Compact Sweet Fruit Tree for the Illinois Orchard

Bing Dwarf Cherry (Prunus avium 'Bing'), a deciduous fruit tree in the Rosaceae family, is a foundational element for home orchards available at our Mundelein nursery. The 'Bing' variety originated in Oregon in 1875 as a chance seedling of the 'Republican' cherry; it was not a product of intentional laboratory cross-breeding but rather a natural selection that proved to have exceptional fruit quality. For homeowners in Kildeer or Hawthorn Woods looking to add a reliable source of sweet fruit and a manageable architectural presence to their properties, this dwarf cultivar is a functional choice. Its ability to produce high-density, mahogany-colored cherries and its compact scale make it a steady performer in any North Suburb garden where functional edible landscaping and space efficiency are the primary goals.

Performance in Northern Illinois Soil

This cultivar is hardy in our Zone 5b climate and is a representative selection for residential backyard orchards throughout the region. While many stone fruits struggle with the heavy, unyielding clay and variable moisture levels found throughout the area, the Bing dwarf cherry grows well in it, provided the site is well-drained and the soil is amended with organic matter to improve aeration. It is successful in the open, sun-drenched landscapes of Hawthorn Woods, where its root system can anchor firmly in rich, mulched soil. In Kildeer, these trees act as a durable architectural staple, emerging with oval, serrated green leaves in the spring that provide a lush, textured canopy throughout the summer months.

Size, Spacing, and Growth Habit

Planning for the mature dimensions and branching nature of this tree ensures it provides the intended fruit yield without requiring excessive maintenance or specialized equipment for harvesting:

• Average Height: On a true dwarf rootstock, this tree typically reaches 8 to 10 feet tall at maturity.

• Average Width: The canopy spread typically spans 8 to 10 feet wide, maintaining a rounded and symmetrical silhouette.

• Growth Rate: As a dwarf variety, it has a slower growth rate compared to standard cherry trees, which is a practical benefit for maintaining a specific landscape scale.

• Growth Habit: The tree features a compact, upright-branching habit that creates a dense crown. This makes it an effective choice for planting near patios or in smaller garden beds.

• Spacing Requirements: To ensure proper light penetration and airflow, space trees at least 10 feet apart from center to center. This distance is commonly utilized to prevent the overlapping of branches and to facilitate easier fruit picking.

Pollination and Compatibility

Understanding the reproductive requirements of the Bing dwarf cherry is a mechanical necessity for a successful harvest. This cultivar is self-sterile, meaning it cannot produce fruit using its own pollen.

• The Pollination Process: For fruit to develop, pollen from a genetically different sweet cherry variety must be transferred to the Bing blossoms by bees and other insects. This cross-pollination is a functional requirement for the fertilization of the flowers and the subsequent development of fruit.

• Compatible Pollinator Plants: To ensure a reliable crop, you must plant a second sweet cherry variety that blooms at the same time. Compatible pollinators commonly include varieties such as 'Black Tartarian', 'Rainier', 'Stella', or 'Lapins'.

• Incompatibility Note: It is important to note that 'Bing', 'Lambert', and 'Royal Ann' cannot pollinate each other. Therefore, selecting a variety from a different pollination group is a mechanical necessity for orchard success.

• Self-Fertile Partners: Planting a self-fertile variety like 'Stella' or 'Lapins' nearby is a practical strategy, as these can serve as pollinators for the Bing while also producing their own fruit without a partner.

Characteristics of Bing Cherries

In the North Suburbs, this fruit tree serves as a source of early-summer interest and functional landscape support, addressing several specific gardening requirements:

• Harvest Timing: Bing cherries are a mid-season variety. In our Illinois climate, they are commonly harvested in late June or early July. They provide a fresh fruit source during the peak transition from spring to summer.

• Fruit Quality: The fruit is noted for its large size, firm texture, and deep mahogany-red skin. The flesh is sweet and juicy, a characteristic that is commonly utilized for fresh eating, preserves, and desserts.

• Spring Floral Display: In May, the tree produces a prolific display of white blossoms. This adds a temporary but high-impact ornamental element to the spring landscape.

• Pollinator Support: The spring flowers provide a critical early-season nectar and pollen source for local honeybees and native solitary bees.

• Storage Life: Once harvested, these cherries have a moderate shelf life. When kept in cool conditions, they maintain their firmness for several days, making them a functional choice for fresh consumption.

Planting and Maintenance Advice

To ensure your tree remains healthy and produces a prolific amount of fruit each year, follow these straightforward care steps:

• Full Sun Exposure: This is a mechanical necessity for fruit development and sugar accumulation. Bing dwarf cherry requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight daily.

• Pruning for Structure: Annual dormant pruning in late winter is a functional necessity. Removing crossing branches and thinning the interior of the canopy allows sunlight and air to reach the center of the tree, which is critical for ripening the fruit and reducing fungal pressure like leaf spot.

• Soil and Moisture: While adaptable to clay, the tree requires consistent moisture, especially during the fruit-set period. During the dry weeks of August, regular supplemental irrigation at the base of the tree is a practical maintenance step.

• Mulching: Maintain a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. This is a mechanical necessity to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• Bird Protection: As the fruit ripens, birds are commonly attracted to the dark red cherries. Using bird netting is a functional strategy to protect your harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions (Lake County Edition)

How long until my dwarf cherry tree produces fruit?

Depending on the age of the tree at planting, dwarf varieties typically begin to bear fruit in 2 to 3 years. This is significantly faster than standard-sized cherry trees.

Why did my cherries split?

Splitting is commonly caused by heavy rainfall just before harvest. The fruit absorbs the water too quickly, causing the skin to burst. Maintaining consistent soil moisture through mulching and irrigation can help minimize this issue.

Visit The Country Bumpkin Garden Center

We are located at the corner of Gilmer Rd & Hawley St in Mundelein. Stop by to see the sturdy structure and experience the potential of a Bing dwarf cherry for your own backyard orchard and find the right fit for your landscape. We are a local resource for gardeners across Mundelein, Kildeer, Hawthorn Woods, and the surrounding communities.

Call (847) 566-2176 or Send a Message to check current availability.