Cherry trees may seem to be a northern fruit tree, with their cold weather requirements, but growers have developed sweet cherry trees that thrive in warm climates as far south as U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9, which covers parts of Florida and California. Choosing the right variety goes a long way toward having a successful cherry crop each year, but preparing the soil and planting site are just as important to the health and life of your cherry tree.
Your tree will be in your yard for decades, so choosing the planting site is important to growing a good cherry crop each year. Cherries like relatively warm weather throughout the growing season. Cold air tends to slide downhill, so choose a spot for planting your tree that is higher than the surrounding ground. If your property is on a lake, position the cherry trees near the shore to take advantage of the "lake effect" of warmer air. Most cherry trees have a wide spread of branches; check the size of your particular variety and leave room in the yard around it accordingly.
Cherry trees are sensitive when it comes to water and soil moisture, as well as crowded roots. The best bet for settling a new cherry tree into the ground is to prepare the soil and hole correctly. Go overboard in your prep instead of skimping on the effort, and you'll have better results. Dig a hole large enough around so that all of the roots can spread out and lay flat. Dig down 4 feet, and mix the soil you dug from the hole with well-rotted compost. This will increase drainage in the soil, as well as adding a source of nutrients in the future when the compost breaks down. Remove rocks and break up the soil clumps, and then refill the hole until you can place the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery. Have your soil checked for acidity. Cherry trees grow best at a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. If your soil is too acidic, add lime to adjust the level.
Juvenile cherry trees don't need chemical fertilizers to start with. Excess chemicals in the soil may do damage to sensitive cherry roots, wounding or killing the tree. Check the soil with a soil test kit after the tree grows enough to begin blossoming and producing cherries. You may need to amend the soil at this point for maximum crop yield.
Cherries need a constant source of moisture, but hate to have their roots stay wet. They are prone to rotting if the soil below isn't well drained. A good amount of compost in the soil should aid in this goal. Water the tree as soon as you plant it in the ground, and soak the soil around the trunk every two weeks during the entire growing season. As your cherry tree matures, it will require less frequent but deeper waterings.
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