Cherry Cheeks

There was a cherry tree at my grandparent’s house that gave tart, dark red fruits that weren’t good for eating directly but made for some fun times when me and my sister would sit on our dad’s shoulders and pick them. I have a very distinct memory of our father climbing the tree way up high much to our shrieking delight, but which was, in reality, less than 15 feet tall. It never gave very much fruit, the birds picking it clean while leaving only a few for us kids to grab.

I was a bit hesitant in getting cherry trees for this very reason, sure that what I plant can be nowhere near as delicious as what we get in the grocery stores–and boy, have I never been so happy to be wrong.

I got two, one black tartarian, and another White Gold and they sit outside our bedroom window. This way their showy blossoms can welcome us early spring mornings. I wanted to choose something that would confuse the birds and squirrels, who would see an unripe fruit and leave it alone. They have a beautiful blush on a cream background that reminds me of my daughters’ chubby cheeks.

This year is the third year I’ll have had it, and while it is only about 10 feet tall, it gave over a pound of cherries, much to the delight of my almost 4 year old daughter, who sat on my shoulders to pick them the same way I did my dad. She snacked on them from her hands while we walked around the garden inspecting everything (and yes, she knows to eat around the pit.) My favorite moments are when she wants to rush inside after she asks if she “can share with my daddy?” It makes me melt into a puddle of unrecognizable goo.

I have mine in partial shade, so it is fine with at least that, and the soil is rich and well drained. I did mulch it with straw to maintain the moisture, so it did very well this year. They do have a lifespan though, of about 20 years, which is a shame because then I’ll have to eventually replace it. I suppose I could replant in other spots in 10 years, and stagger them like that if I have to, or plant a long lived variety (which are not sweet enough for fresh eating.)