Early cherries

Netted and waiting, May 2020

It was a hot, dry May and the son picked our first cherry last weekend (the last weekend in May).  Talk about early!  This tree, the Morello, would up until recently fruit in July.  For a few years we've had fruit in June--and while the bulk of it is only starting to ripen, I'm sure it will do so again this year too.  Except for the first cherry;  the son said it was pretty sour, but as a pie cherry that's only to be expected.

The other two trees are not so far along, though the newest little Stella has a few just turning orange now;  it only has about five or so cherries.  It was planted a year ago. 

The Kordia tree initially had a lot of fruit but dropped about half:  I think it's been stressed by the heat and lack of rain.  We're trying to water once or twice a week to save the remainder of the cherries;  they're not due for a few more weeks at least--maybe not till July.  It's too big to net against birds, but I may put some fabric sleeves over the lower branches to try and save a few cherries for us;  we've never gotten more than a few dozen since we planted the tree five or so years ago. 

The Morello tree is netted using a couple of long willow wands as arching supports;  the son helped me go all the way around and down with the net so hopefully it's impervious this year--I want to save as many cherries as possible.  Note the huge chard plant going to seed inside the net:  the husband asked if that was really what I was trying to net and if the cherry tree was just in the way.