Whitegold Cherry Info – How To Grow Whitegold Cherries

The sweet taste of cherries is only rivaled by their predecessors, white scented blooms covering the tree in spring. The Whitegold cherry tree produces one of the prettiest of these early season flower displays. What are Whitegold cherries? It is a sweet cherry variety that has copious blooms and resulting fruits. Some tips on how to grow Whitegold cherries will ensure your tree is happy and your stomach even happier.

Whitegold Cherry Info

Whitegold cherry info states that the tree is self-pollinating and does not need a partner to set fruit. That is just one of the amazing traits of this delicious fruiting plant. The tree is not a very common variety, but if you can find one, it produces some of the tastiest, golden blush cherries available. This unusual cherry tree is a cross of Emperor Francis and Stella, a self-fertile cherry. Only one seedling had the golden fruit and self-pollinating nature researchers were trying to encourage. The tree was developed in Geneva, New York around 1975 and has many disease resistant characteristics. The fruit resists cracking and the tree is resistant to bacterial canker, cherry leaf spot, brown rot and black knot. The tree is also hardy in both winter and spring frosts. Even though the tree doesn't need another variety of cherry to set fruit, it makes an excellent pollinator for those that do need a partner. Whitegold is a mid-season cropping cherry. You can get this tree in standard, semi-dwarf and dwarf. Standard trees are bred on either Krymst 5 or Gisela 5 rootstocks, while the semi-dwarf is on Colt. Trees can grow 25, 15, and 12 feet (7.6, 4.5, 3.6 m.) respectively. Young plants need to be at least 2 to 3 years of age before they bear fruit. The creamy flowers arrive in spring followed by golden fruit in summer. Trees are suitable for United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 7 but can withstand zone 4 in a protected location.

How to Grow Whitegold Cherries

These gorgeous fruit trees will need a little training upon installation. Select a location in full sun with well-draining soil and a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Young trees may need staking for the first year to develop a strong vertical leader. Prune in late winter to early spring to form a vase-shaped canopy and remove water spouts and crossed branches. Fertilize in early spring. Keep young trees evenly moist while establishing them. Once established, water when the soil is dry to the touch during the growing season. Apply fungicides in fall and late winter to protect from numerous fungal diseases. With good care, this tree can reward you with up to 50 lbs. (23 kg.) of beautiful, delicious cherries.