Free Shipping on Orders $199+

Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

Sweetheart Sweet Cherry Tree

Prunus avium 'Sweetheart'

Regular price $7169
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Out of stock
Plant not supported in Growing Zone. Update address

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: For the best fruit production and sugar content, plant your Sweetheart Cherry in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate a little afternoon shade, you will notice fewer cherries and a less vibrant skin color if it is tucked into a dark corner.
  • Soil: These trees prefer deep, well drained loamy soil that allows roots to breathe. If you have heavy clay, plant in a raised mound to prevent "wet feet," or incorporate organic compost into sandy soils to help hold onto essential nutrients.

Watering Requirements

During the first two seasons, provide about 10 gallons of water per week to help the root system get established. Once mature, the Sweetheart Cherry is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the fruiting stage can cause the cherries to crack or split. Aim for deep, infrequent soakings at the base of the tree rather than light sprinkles to encourage deep root growth.

Pruning Tips

Since Sweetheart Cherries fruit on "old wood" (spurs that are two years or older), you should prune in late winter while the tree is still dormant. Focus on thinning out the center of the canopy to let light reach the inner branches, which keeps the fruit ripening evenly. Think of it like opening a window to let fresh air and sunshine into the middle of the tree to prevent disease.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fruit tree fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages soft, new growth that will not harden off before the first frost. This late season "growth spurt" leaves the tree vulnerable to winter injury and can reduce next year's crop.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Description

Your Sweetheart Sweet Cherry Tree (Prunus avium 'Sweetheart') will create a spectacle in your yard once friends and neighbors have sampled its delectable fruit. Easier to grow than other Cherry varieties, this is both a low-maintenance and easy-going tree! Sweetheart is quickly becoming a wildly popular tree! It's self-fruitful and a perfect choice if you only have room for one tree. In fact, the addition of another variety will only serve to increase your production and harvest.

Mid-April brings honeybees and butterflies to help pollinate the pristine, scented, pinkish-white flowers which result in a late harvest of mid-July Cherries that dot the tree, just like tiny, brilliant ornaments amid the shiny, bright-green foliage. The shiny, bright heart-shaped red exterior covers the smooth, crisp skin of this exquisite Cherry.

The interior red flesh is meaty and firm, but with a deliciously sweet flavor that will make your taste buds water. A slight hint of acidic-tart undertone is just enough to provide the perfect amount of bite to this unique Cherry. It even remains crisp long after being picked. What's incredible about this Sweet Cherry is that it ripens over a period of a couple of weeks, so your harvest season is extended...and what a harvest it is!

Autumn transforms the shiny foliage into shades of orange, pink or red for yet another decorative show! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 8, Sweetheart can become a good-sized tree at 30-35 feet in height. Of course, as with most Cherry Trees, even the bark itself is lovely. The reddish, dark-brown hue even becomes fissured on older trees for added interest!

Planting and Application:

The healthy fruit and juice from Cherries are just one of the great reasons to grow this tree, but the firm, crisp flesh makes for fantastic fresh eating and snacking but also incredible jams, jellies and pies! These can get to be big trees, so you'll have plenty to share with friends and family, neighbors and the local songbird population!

Sweetheart Cherry Tree has many ornamental features and outstanding, summer fruit! These Cherry Trees would look spectacular lining your driveway, or even just one in your front or side yard would be sure to be noticed! Sweetheart is not only a source of wonderful fruit but also a lovely tree for your yard and can be pruned to maintain almost any height! Perfect for an edible landscaping statement piece, specimen and fantastic shade tree, these trees fill your landscape with 4 season interest!

Add to an existing orchard to help pollinate other Sweet Cherry Trees or plant as a focal point tree you can set up a table and benches under for shade! This Cherry tree does not require cross-pollination, but for the largest harvest, we recommende you include an early to mid-season ripening Sweetheart, Black Tatarian, and even the Montmorency Sour Cherry can be used as a pollinator. You'll enjoy boosted harvests from both trees and extend your harvest by almost a month with a careful selection of later-bearing partner trees. If you don't have room for two trees, try this high-density planting trick and more in our Garden Blog.

  • Meaty, Firm & Juicy Sweet Cherries
  • Scented, Gorgeous Pinkish Blooms
  • Large Canopy & Shiny Bright-Green Foliage
  • Ornamental Features - Pinkish Scented Blooms & Great Fall Color!
  • Self-Fruitful Heavy Producer
  • Late & Prolonged Harvest
  • Fresh Eating, Pies, Jams & Jellies

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Provide fruit trees like Sweetheart a full sun site with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Cherry Trees need to be planted in rich, well-drained soil. Ensure that your planting site has good air circulation, and that gets morning sun, if you can, which quickly takes care of morning dew to keep your plants healthy.

One of the easiest Cherry trees to grow, these are perfect for the beginner home gardener or home orchard. Low maintenance too, they are vigorous growers and produce a heavy crop of fruit from an early age! So you won't have to wait long for your first juicy harvest

Prune fruiting Cherry trees in late winter to open the canopy to sunlight and airflow, to remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs. Prune Cherry trees in spring to shape, and remove water growth or suckers. It's easy to prune the Sweetheart Cherry tree to under 10 feet tall. This is called summer size control pruning, and it makes harvest a lot easier.

  • Full Sun
  • Regular Moderate Moisture
  • Rich Well-Drained Soil
  • Appreciates Mulched Beds
  • Cold Hardy
  • 700 Chill Hours

Watch our YouTube channel and keep an eye on our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog for more information on proven backyard orchard culture techniques!

Choosing a Sweetheart Sweet Cherry Tree ensures that you will have an attractive tree that is also a heavy producer of extra-large sweet, juicy fruit. What a way to bring a spectacular finale to your summer! Order yours at NatureHills.com today for sweet treats tomorrow!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sweetheart Cherry Tree self-pollinating or does it need another variety nearby?

  • The Sweetheart Sweet Cherry Tree is self-fruitful, meaning it will produce fruit without needing another cherry variety nearby. However, planting a second cherry variety will significantly increase your harvest yield. For maximum production, consider adding a compatible sweet cherry cultivar.

What are the planting instructions for Sweetheart Cherry Trees, including best time of year?

  • Plant Sweetheart Cherry Trees in early spring or fall in USDA zones 5-8. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and space for 30-35 feet of mature height. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy, ready-to-plant specimens that establish quickly.

How do I prune a Sweetheart Cherry Tree to keep it healthy and productive?

  • Prune Sweetheart Cherry Trees in late winter while dormant, before spring growth begins. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches first, then thin crowded areas to improve air circulation. Since these trees reach 30-35 feet, establish a strong central leader and remove lower branches gradually as the tree matures.

Is the Sweetheart Cherry Tree cold hardy, and what are its chill hour requirements?

  • The Sweetheart Sweet Cherry Tree is cold hardy in USDA zones 5-8. Like most sweet cherries, it requires 700-1000 chill hours below 45°F during winter dormancy to fruit properly. Check your area's average chill hours to ensure successful fruiting.

Are Sweetheart Cherry Trees shipped as bare-root or potted, and when is shipping available?

  • Sweetheart Cherry Trees are available both bare-root and potted at naturehills.com, with shipping timing dependent on your location and planting season. Bare-root trees typically ship in late winter to early spring for zones 5-8. Order based on your area's last frost date for best establishment.

Does the Sweetheart Cherry Tree resist diseases like powdery mildew or cracking?

  • Sweetheart Cherry is notably easier to grow and more low-maintenance than other cherry varieties, which typically includes better disease resistance. While specific disease resistance isn't detailed, its reputation as an easy-going variety suggests good tolerance to common cherry issues. Plant in well-draining soil with good air circulation to minimize disease pressure in zones 5-8.

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

âš  Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.