North Star Cherry

Compact Fruit Tree
Tart Summer Cherries
White Spring Blooms

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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

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North Star Cherry

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

North Star Cherry

North Star Cherry is a compact tart cherry tree valued for white spring flowers, bright red summer fruit, and a manageable dwarf habit that fits beautifully into sunny edible landscapes, small orchards, and home gardens.

Why choose North Star Cherry?

Choose North Star Cherry for a productive fruit tree with ornamental spring bloom and a naturally smaller size than many cherry trees. This tart cherry is especially useful for home gardeners who want harvestable fruit without needing a large orchard space. Its self-fruitful nature means a single tree can produce cherries, while its compact branching makes pruning, netting, and picking more approachable in residential landscapes.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Prunus cerasus ‘North Star’
Common Name: North Star Cherry
Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
Growth Habit: Compact, rounded dwarf tree

North Star Cherry Additional Information

North Star Cherry is a dwarf sour cherry cultivar grown for both spring flowers and edible summer fruit. In spring, clusters of white blossoms decorate the branches and attract pollinators. By summer, the tree produces red tart cherries commonly used for pies, jams, sauces, baking, and preserves. The fruit is best enjoyed when fully ripe and is especially prized for cooking and processing rather than sweet fresh eating.

This deciduous fruit tree drops its leaves in fall and rests through winter, making it well suited to cold-climate edible gardens. Its compact size works well in small yards, sunny borders, and backyard orchard plantings. North Star Cherry is self-fruitful, so it does not require a second cherry tree for fruit production, though good pollinator activity during bloom can improve yields. Prune during dormancy to maintain an open structure, encourage airflow, and keep fruiting branches easy to reach.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant North Star Cherry in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Choose a site with good air movement and enough space around the tree for pruning, harvesting, and seasonal maintenance.

2. Watering: Water deeply and consistently during establishment, keeping the soil evenly moist but not saturated. Established trees benefit from supplemental watering during dry periods, especially while fruit is sizing.

3. Mulching: Apply mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk to protect the bark and maintain a healthy root flare.

4. Pruning: Prune during dormancy to remove damaged, crossing, or crowded branches. Maintain an open canopy that allows sunlight and airflow through the tree, which also makes harvesting easier.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does North Star Cherry get?
North Star Cherry is a compact dwarf tart cherry that commonly reaches about 8 to 10 feet tall with a similar or slightly narrower spread, depending on growing conditions and pruning.
Does North Star Cherry need another cherry tree to produce fruit?
No. North Star Cherry is self-fruitful, so one tree can produce cherries on its own. Pollinator activity during bloom can still help support a better fruit set.
When does North Star Cherry produce fruit?
North Star Cherry blooms in spring and typically produces red tart cherries in summer. Exact harvest timing depends on local weather, spring bloom conditions, and the tree’s maturity.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Flowering

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate
Botanical Name	Prunus 'North Star'
Bloom Time	Late Spring
Deer Resistant	No
Family	Rosaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, #7 Container

Map of the United States with all states outlined and filled in dark greenli

Growing Zones 4-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Rating
Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more	Small: Up to 15 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	20+ ft	20+ ft	5-10 ft	10-20 ft	20+ ft	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Moderate	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow	Fast
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Mid spring	Late Spring, Early Summer	Mid spring	Late Spring, Mid spring	Mid spring, Early Spring	Mid spring, Early Spring
Deer Resistant	No	Usually	No	No	Usually	Usually
Family	Rosaceae	Fabaceae	Rosaceae	Rosaceae	Aceraceae	Betulaceae
Flower Color	White	White	Pink, Red, White	White	Non Flowering	Non Flowering
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Low