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Tart Cherry
Tart Cherry botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Tart Cherry

Prunus cerasus

Honeybees visit tart cherry trees for the abundant nectar and pollen from their white spring blossoms, serving as a key early-season forage source for building up colonies. Peak bloom typically hits in May, lasting 2-3 weeks depending on variety and location. Trees are self-fertile but bee pollination boosts fruit set and yields; provide full sun and well-drained soil, and protect from deer browsing and bird damage to fruits.

Nectarhigh
Pollenhigh
BloomMay–May
USDA zones4-9
TypePerennial
Sunfull
NativeEurope and Western Asia — introduced in North America
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