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Early Richmond Cherry Tree

Prunus cerasus 'Early Richmond'

Regular price $14986
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Give this tree a spot with full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. Plenty of sun ensures the best fruit production and keeps the tree vigorous, while too much shade can lead to leggy growth and fewer cherries.
  • Soil: This cherry tree thrives in well-drained soil that isn't prone to standing water. If you have heavy clay, amend it with compost to improve drainage, or consider planting in a raised mound to keep the roots from getting waterlogged.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply once a week to help the root system establish itself in its new home. Once established, this tree has some drought tolerance, but consistent moisture is key during fruit development to prevent the cherries from dropping prematurely or shriveling.

Pruning Tips

Prune your Early Richmond in late winter or early spring while the tree is still dormant to encourage vigorous new growth. Focus on opening up the canopy to let sunlight and air reach the center, which helps prevent disease and ripens fruit evenly; remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches first.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid fertilizing late in the summer, as this can push soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter, leaving the tree vulnerable to cold damage.

Delivery and Shipping

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


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Description

Easy-to-Grow Sour Cherry - Early Richmond Cherry Tree!

  • Bright, Light-Red Juicy Sour Fruit
  • Lovely White Spring Blooms
  • Early Season Harvest
  • High Yields of Delicious Fruit
  • Smaller & Compact Size
  • Gorgeous Ornamental
  • Self-Pollinating
  • Hardy and Widely Adaptable
  • Antique Variety
  • Historical Interest
  • Planted in England since the 1500s
  • Classic Pie Fruit, Preserves, Cobblers, Desserts & Sauces
  • 700 Chill Hours

The Early Richmond Cherry Tree (Prunus cerasus 'Early Richmond') is prized by growers for its high yields and its beautiful ornamental qualities! Grown in England since the early 1500s, the Early Richmond Cherry came over with the settlers to colonial America, and it's been delicious history ever since.

The Early Richmond puts on a show each spring with profuse clusters of abundant white flowers. Glossy, dark green foliage fills this rounded tree out for the summer, providing a contrasting backdrop for when it begins to hang heavy with red cherries, warmed by the sun and ready for eating.

Known to ripen up to a week earlier than other cherry trees, as early as June, the Early Richmond offers a bounty of sour cherries in the late spring.

While you may be tempted to eat them straight from the tree by the handful, the Early Richmond is also ideal for cooking, canning and preserving. A heavy producing tree, you’ll enjoy loads of medium-sized fruit, these are classic bright red pie cherries that are firm and full of juice!

The tart flavor is just the thing for classic cherry pie, or use it in cobblers and dessert sauces. Nothing's better than homemade jams and preserves from your very own cherry tree.

Self-fertile, you’ll quickly enjoy a bountiful harvest from a single tree. However, you’ll enjoy a larger crop if you plant more than one tree. No space for another? Try this unique planting technique in our Garden Blog!

Don't worry about wasting any berries left hanging on the Early Richmond; songbirds love them, and they'll gobble up any that you don't claim. Net your tree to keep them at bay until you've gotten your fill.

How to Use Early Richmond Cherry Tree In The Landscape

Smaller statured and compact, these ornamental trees are incredibly versatile in their use. Fitting snugly into any sized garden, landscape or small home orchard, Early Richmond can be pruned even smaller yet to tuck anywhere, even containers and planters on balconies and porches!

Ornamental blooms in spring and the modest size makes Early Richmond a fantastic specimen tree for front yard landscaping. Gorgeous edible landscaping and dual-purpose garden plants, they’re both versatile and beneficial.

Any sized garden and home orchard have room for one of these smaller trees. Prune smaller yet for a container-sized tree or add one to your balcony or patio to keep the juicy fruit close at hand! Try your hand at pruning this tree as Espalier for a centerpiece and focal point to amaze everyone for years to come!

Place one outside your window so you’ll be able to enjoy the spring blooms showy appearance and keep a close eye on your developing harvest.

#ProPlantTips For Care

Plant in full sun for the most flowers and best fruit! This hardy fruit tree is ideal for growing zones 4-9, where it adapts well to soil conditions ranging from moist to well-drained soil. Tolerating rainier environments, these trees are adaptable and versatile.

A bit of summer pruning keeps this variety at the height you like most. Train and shape your tree to suit your needs and space! Summer pruning to control size while winter pruning when the tree is dormant helps remove dead, diseased or damaged limbs. Prune also to keep the interior of your tree open for increased air circulation and to allow sunlight into the canopy of your tree.

It's self-fertile, so you don't have to worry about a pollinator plant, just plant it and watch it grow. Expect it to begin producing within three to five years after planting.

Plant your tree in any well-drained fertile soil that has good organic matter. Don't forget to add Nature Hills Root Booster while planting for a life-long symbiotic relationship with the tiny feeder roots.

Order today at NatureHills.com and get started growing your own tasty desserts and juicy fruit!

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does the Early Richmond Cherry Tree grow at maturity?

  • The Early Richmond Cherry Tree reaches 12-15 feet tall and wide at maturity with a naturally rounded growth habit. This compact sour cherry variety stays smaller than most sweet cherries, making it ideal for smaller yards. Plant it where it has room to spread but won't outgrow its space.

Is the Early Richmond Cherry Tree self-fertile or does it need a pollinator?

  • The Early Richmond Cherry Tree is self-fertile and will produce fruit on its own. However, planting multiple trees will increase your harvest size significantly. You can enjoy a bountiful crop from just one tree, available at naturehills.com.

What are the soil and drainage requirements for planting an Early Richmond Cherry Tree?

  • Early Richmond Cherry Trees thrive in well-draining soil and cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. They adapt to various soil types but perform best in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Plant in full sun location with good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

When does the Early Richmond Cherry Tree produce fruit and ripen?

  • Early Richmond cherries ripen in late spring, typically as early as June, about a week earlier than most other cherry varieties. This early-season harvest makes it one of the first cherries ready for picking each year. Plan to harvest when the fruit turns bright red and feels firm but juicy to the touch.

How do I prune an Early Richmond Cherry Tree to keep it a manageable size?

  • Prune Early Richmond Cherry Trees in late winter while dormant to maintain their naturally compact size. Remove suckers, crossing branches, and thin crowded areas to improve air circulation. Focus on light annual pruning rather than heavy cuts to preserve fruit production. Shop pruning tools at Nature Hills for best results.

What pests and diseases affect the Early Richmond Cherry Tree, like bacterial canker?

  • Early Richmond cherries can face bacterial canker, brown rot, and cherry leaf spot, plus pests like aphids and cherry fruit flies. Good air circulation and proper pruning help prevent most issues. Apply dormant oil in late winter and monitor for early signs of disease during the growing season.

How cold hardy is the Early Richmond Cherry Tree, down to what temperature?

  • Early Richmond Cherry Trees are hardy and widely adaptable, requiring 700 chill hours to fruit properly. They tolerate cold winter temperatures well in USDA zones 4-8. Plant in fall for best establishment before winter.

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