If you’re planning to add a cherry tree to your garden, one of the first questions you’ll ask is how tall does a cherry tree grow. The answer isn’t simple, as the maximum height and spread depend heavily on the type of cherry tree you choose. Knowing this before you plant is crucial for giving your tree the space it needs to thrive and produce those beautiful blooms or tasty fruit for years to come.
Cherry trees are broadly split into two categories: ornamental flowering cherries and fruiting cherries. Ornamental varieties, like the famous Japanese Yoshino, are grown for their spectacular spring flowers. Fruiting cherries are divided into sweet cherries (Prunus avium) for eating fresh and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) for baking. Each group has its own typical size range, which we’ll look at closely.
How Tall Does A Cherry Tree Grow
On average, a standard, full-sized cherry tree will reach between 20 and 40 feet in height, with a similar spread. However, some wild or old-fashioned varieties can soar much higher. The ultimate size is determined by the rootstock, the specific cultivar, and your local growing conditions like soil and climate.
Ornamental Flowering Cherry Tree Sizes
These trees are the stars of spring parks and gardens. Their size can vary dramatically.
- Large Ornamentals: Varieties like the Yoshino cherry or the Kwanzan cherry can grow 30 to 50 feet tall and wide. They make a majestik, spreading canopy.
- Medium Ornamentals: The Okame cherry is more modest, typically reaching 20 to 30 feet. It’s a good fit for medium-sized yards.
- Small/Weeping Ornamentals: Weeping forms, like the Snow Fountains cherry, stay much smaller, often maturing at 8 to 15 feet tall with a graceful, cascading spread.
Fruiting Cherry Tree Sizes
The size of a fruit-producing cherry tree is largely controlled by its rootstock. This is a game-changer for home gardeners.
- Standard Sweet Cherry: On its own roots, a sweet cherry tree can become a giant, reaching 35 feet or more. That’s often to tall for easy harvesting.
- Standard Sour Cherry: Sour cherry trees are naturally a bit smaller, usually maxing out at around 20 feet tall and wide.
- Dwarf and Semi-Dwarf: Thanks to modern grafting, you can buy sweet and sour cherry trees on dwarfing rootstocks. These stay between 8 to 15 feet tall, making them perfect for smaller spaces and much easier to net and pick.
Key Factors That Influence Final Size
Why does one tree hit 40 feet while another stops at 10? Here are the main controllers.
1. Rootstock: The Hidden Decider
This is the most important factor for fruiting trees. The rootstock is the bottom part of a grafted tree, and it dictates vigor and ultimate size. A ‘Gisela 5’ rootstock will create a dwarf tree, while a ‘Mazzard’ rootstock will result in a large, standard tree. Always check the rootstock when buying.
2. Cultivar or Variety
The genetic potential of the specific cherry type sets the baseline. A ‘Bing’ sweet cherry has different growth habits than a ‘Stella’, even on the same rootstock.
3. Growing Conditions
Your local environment plays a huge role. A tree in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with full sun will grow larger and faster than one in poor, compacted, or shady spot. Adequate water, especially in the early years, is also essential for healthy growth.
4. Pruning and Training
You have direct control here. Regular pruning manages size, shapes the tree, and encourages fruit production. Neglected trees grow taller and wider, often becoming leggy and less productive.
Managing Your Cherry Tree’s Spread and Height
You can’t change the genetics, but you can guide your tree. Here’s a simple plan for size management.
- Plant the Right Tree: Choose a dwarf or semi-dwarf variety if you have limited space. It’s the easiest way to avoid constant battle with size.
- Annual Pruning: Prune during the dormant season (late winter). Focus on removing dead wood, crossing branches, and thinning the center to allow light and air. To reduce height, cut back leading branches to a lateral.
- Summer Pruning: Light pruning in summer can help slow growth and direct energy into fruit buds rather then excess foliage.
- Proper Spacing at Planting: Give your tree room to reach its mature spread. Crowding it will lead to problems and force you to over-prune.
Common Mistakes That Affect Growth
- Planting Too Deep: This suffocates the root flare and can stunt the tree or lead to disease. The graft union should always be above the soil line.
- Over-fertilizing: Too much nitrogen, in particular, promotes excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and fruit, and can make the tree grow to fast and weak.
- Ignoring Water Needs: Young trees need consistent moisture to establish. Drought stress will severely limit there growth.
- Forgetting About Pollination: Many fruiting cherries need a compatible partner tree nearby to set fruit. No fruit might mean you’ve overlooked this need.
FAQ: Your Cherry Tree Size Questions Answered
What is the fastest growing cherry tree?
Some ornamental varieties, like the Yoshino cherry, are known for their relatively quick growth, adding 2 feet or more per year under ideal conditions.
How can I keep my cherry tree small?
Start with a genetically dwarf tree on a controlling rootstock. Then, employ consistent annual pruning to maintain its shape and size. It’s much easier than trying to dwarf a standard-sized tree.
What’s the smallest cherry tree available?
True dwarf cherry trees, often grown in pots or as patio specimens, can be kept as small as 6-8 feet tall with careful pruning. Some are even bred for balcony gardens.
How much space does a cherry tree need?
As a rule, space your tree at least as far apart as its expected mature spread. For a dwarf tree that spreads 10 feet, give it 10 feet of clearance from other trees or structures. Standard trees may need 20 to 30 feet of space.
Do cherry trees have invasive roots?
Cherry tree roots are generally not considered aggressively invasive like some species, but they can spread widely (often as far as the tree’s canopy) and may interfere with nearby paving or shallow foundations if planted to close.
Understanding how tall a cherry tree grows—and how wide it will spread—is the first step to a succesful planting. By matching the tree’s natural potential to your garden’s space and using smart pruning practices, you can enjoy the beauty and bounty of cherries without any suprises. Whether it’s a towering ornamental showering petals in spring or a compact fruit tree laden with summer harvest, the right cherry tree is out there for your landscape.