Your Tree
Your tree is a Van Cherry. It will be planted during the winter 2022-2023.
A heavy cropping sweet cherry cultivar producing abundant white blossom in spring that is followed by medium sized black skin and dark red inside when fully ripe, commonly eaten fresh or used in both sweet and savoury cooking. Often used in jams and sauces and can be preserved by freezing or drying.
Where to plant: Full sun.
When to plant: The best time to plant is late autumn to early winter, however, keep in mind that pot-growing trees can be planted all year round.
Planting: Plant this tree to the same depth as it is in the pot it came in, spread an 8cm layer of mulch around the base of the tree but not touching the main trunk.
Watering: Immediately after planting.
How big your Van Cherry will get
Where to plant your Van Cherry
Caring for your tree prior to planting
How you care for your tree before planting depends on whether it is in a pot or bare-rooted.
Potted- Your tree can be planted immediately or alternatively will remain healthy in its pot for a few months if the soil in the pot is kept moist and outdoors but preferably under cover or in a sheltered spot. But they should be planted whilst they are dormant, so before March. Any overnight frost contact with the pot can be damaging to the tree.
Bare-rooted - The bare-rooted trees need a bit more care and should be planted within 7 days. The root comes covered in a bag and again should be stored in a sheltered area or undercover.
What to consider before planting
We don't recommend growing trees in pots as they quickly outgrow them and will suffer stress if moved when they're bigger therefore the tree will need to be planted in the ground.
Think about where you’re planting in relation to your house, your neighbours, and any other buildings.
Consider the ultimate size that the tree will grow to. Will it still fit the space you have in mind?
Measure out your garden and decide what the best location for the tree would be – so that it is not too close to your house and has at least 1m space from other trees, and that is also away from busy footfall areas.
If your planting area is overgrown then cutting the grass short and weeding will make planting far easier and reduce competition for water, helping your tree to thrive.
Where/when/how to plant
Avoid planting under existing trees, as shade and lack of water will restrict the growth of the tree.
Allow plenty of distance from existing hedges as they could swamp the growth of new trees, and you’ll need access to the hedge for future maintenance.
Ideal planting times fall between October- March, our collection dates are scheduled in line with appropriate timing for your tree to go in the ground.
Spacing – plant at least 1.5m away from any existing tree to allow adequate water and nutrient access.
A hole needs to be made deep enough for all of the tree roots to be below the ground.
If you are unsure of the process of putting your tree into the ground, there are multiple sources of information on the web.
The short term care of your tree - the first 3 years
Weeding
This is the most important step in giving your trees the right start. Keeping a 1 metre diameter around the tree clear of weeds and grass for the first 2-3 years will reduce competition for moisture and nutrients, so weed frequently. You can also use mulch, such as bark chips or straw bales to supress weeds. Apply it to a depth of around 10cm to prevent it being blown away or dispersed and top it up annually.
Watering
Your trees will adapt to natural conditions so it shouldn't need watering, especially as it encourages roots to grow up towards the soil surface rather than down towards groundwater. If there is a particularly long dry spell and you feel watering is necessary, saturate the ground to ensure water soaks deep into the soil.
Mowing
Regular grass cutting in the proximity of the tree is not advised as it invigorates grass growth and increases competition for moisture. If you do want to mow, take care to avoid damaging the trees and guards.
Pests
Pests can cause damage inside the tube so check tree stems and guards for damage. Keeping tree guards firmly pressed into the soil and a weed-free area around your trees will help.
The long term care of your tree - year 3+
Pruning
This is not essential but will encourage trees to grow upwards rather than outwards once established and help to create a diverse canopy structure. Most native trees are best pruned in winter when dormant. However, species such as cherry and walnut need pruning in summer to reduce risk of disease and sap bleeding.
Disease
Your trees may be affected by a variety of common diseases but will rarely kill young trees. A particularly cold winter may result in frost damage, but your trees should recover. If concerned, contact us for advice.
Read more
For more information on individual trees’ positioning and aspect please visit the www.rhs.org.uk website where you can find various information on the particular tree species.
Got any other questions? Visit our help which should hopefully have the answer.
