What's the lifespan of a cherry tree?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Cherry trees have a natural lifespan and, thus, understanding how to grow cherry trees that live for decades must first begin with the natural lifespan of cherry trees: standard sweet cherries typically live 20 to 40 years, and dwarf varieties usually last around 15 to 25 years. My neighbor has a 45-year-old ‘Bing' cherry that still produces fruit, which tells you that if you provide proper care, you can extend beyond averages. In the wild, much like black cherries can live over 80 years.
Key Factors
- Rootstock type: Dwarfs (Gisela 5) vs. standards (Mazzard).
- Soil pH: Maintain 6.0-7.0 to prevent nutrient lockout.
- Pruning: Annual cuts reduce disease entry points.
- Pest control: Borers and canker kill trees prematurely.
Care Tips
- Prune in late winter to shape and sanitize.
- Monitor pests with sticky traps and neem oil.
- Test soil every 2-3 years; amend with compost.
- Mulch 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm) to retain moisture.
Prune wisely. Go after the dead branches first, then prune overlapping limbs back to strengthen the tree. My 30-year-old ‘Stella' survived borer infestation because I was able to notice sawdust coming out of a knot (#6). I injected the tunnels with neem oil. Don't go for heavy nitrogen either, it weakens wood and the tree will be more susceptible to damage in a storm.
The health of the soil is essential and non-negotiable. Test the pH of the soil every year if plants are exhibiting yellowing leaves. I was able to save a tree that was struggling by adding 2 lbs (0.9 kg) of lime per 100 sq ft to raise the pH from 5.2. A mulch of wood chips should be used rather than grass clippings as they mat and then rot out tree trunks.
Water thoroughly but infrequently. Mature trees require 10-15 gallons (38-57 liters) every ten days in drought conditions. Overwatering suffocates the roots, which is one of the reasons my first dwarf cherry tree only lasted 12 years. Keep track of rainfall and adjust accordingly.
Read the full article: How to Grow Cherry Trees From Seed or Sapling
