Stella Cherry Tree Live Plant – 3 to 4 Feet Tall – 3 Gallon Pot – Self-Fertile

Overview

Cultivate your own orchard with the exceptional Stella cherry tree live plant. Renowned for its abundant production of sweet, dark red cherries, this variety is a true garden gem. Originating from British Columbia, Canada, the ‘Stella’ cultivar holds the distinction of being the first self-fertile sweet cherry to be named, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who wish to plant just one tree and still enjoy a bountiful harvest. This particular Stella cherry tree live plant arrives 3 to 4 feet tall, established in a 3-gallon pot, ready to thrive in your landscape. Its manageable size and self-pollinating nature make it a perfect fit for even compact gardens, providing both ornamental beauty with its spring blossoms and the delicious reward of fresh, home-grown fruit.

The Stella cherry tree live plant is celebrated not only for its ease of growth but also for the superior quality of its fruit. The cherries are known for their juicy texture, rich flavor, and remarkable resistance to splitting and cracking, a common issue with other sweet cherry varieties. Imagine stepping into your garden and plucking ripe, succulent cherries directly from the branch. This tree offers an unparalleled experience for fruit enthusiasts and home gardeners alike, promising a delightful harvest for years to come. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a beginner looking for an easy-to-care-for fruiting tree, the Stella cherry is an excellent choice.

Key Benefits

The Stella cherry tree live plant offers a multitude of advantages, making it a highly desirable addition to any garden. From its self-pollinating capabilities to its delicious fruit, this tree delivers both beauty and bounty.

• Self-Pollinating Convenience: Unlike many sweet cherry varieties that require a second tree for cross-pollination, the Stella cherry tree live plant is self-fertile. This means you only need to plant one tree to ensure a successful and abundant crop, simplifying your gardening efforts and saving space.
• Delicious, Crack-Resistant Fruit: Enjoy a generous harvest of large, dark red cherries that are exceptionally juicy, sweet, and firm. A key benefit of the Stella variety is its natural resistance to cracking, ensuring more usable fruit even after heavy rains.
• Compact Growth Habit: Perfect for smaller gardens, urban spaces, or even large containers, this tree maintains a manageable size. Its compact stature makes harvesting easier and integrates beautifully into various landscape designs.
• Early Fruiting: Many Stella cherry trees can begin producing fruit in as little as 1 to 4 years after planting, allowing you to enjoy your first homegrown cherries sooner. This quick turnaround provides a rewarding experience for patient gardeners.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the Stella cherry tree boasts stunning white blossoms in the spring, adding significant aesthetic appeal to your garden. These delicate flowers are a beautiful precursor to the summer harvest.
• Attracts Wildlife: The blossoms attract beneficial pollinators like bees, and the ripening fruit can attract various bird species, adding lively activity and biodiversity to your outdoor space.
• Low Maintenance: This variety is known for being relatively easy to care for and does not typically require extensive pruning to fruit, making it a great option for gardeners seeking a productive yet undemanding tree.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Stella cherry tree live plant is straightforward, ensuring years of delicious harvests. These trees thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the best fruit. Choose a location in your garden that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. Well-draining soil is crucial for cherry trees; they do not tolerate soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot. A loamy, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) is ideal. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with organic matter like compost to improve drainage.

When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is key, especially during the first few years after planting and when the tree is fruiting. Water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Fertilize your sweet cherry tree in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Follow the product instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilization. The Stella cherry tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, meaning it can tolerate winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C). Protect young trees from harsh winter winds if you are on the colder end of its hardiness range.

While this particular compact fruiting tree doesn’t require extensive pruning for fruit production, occasional corrective pruning can help maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and improve air circulation. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Keep an eye out for common cherry tree pests like aphids or cherry fruit flies, and diseases such as brown rot. Regular inspection and prompt action with organic or targeted treatments can keep your tree healthy and productive. Providing proper Stella cherry care will ensure a robust tree with abundant fruit.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Stella cherry tree live plant that stands approximately 3 to 4 feet tall upon arrival. It is shipped in a sturdy 3-gallon nursery pot, providing a well-established root system for a strong start in your garden. The tree features a robust trunk, indicating a healthy and mature specimen ready for transplanting. Stella cherry trees are known for their moderate growth rate, typically reaching a mature height of 15-20 feet with a similar spread if left unpruned. However, their size can be managed with proper pruning, making them suitable for smaller garden spaces or as a central feature in a compact landscape design. Expect your tree to begin fruiting within 1-4 years after planting, with peak production occurring as the tree matures.

The fruit of the Stella cherry is dark red, heart-shaped, and typically ripens in mid-summer. Each cherry is large, juicy, and boasts a sweet flavor profile. The tree is self-pollinating, eliminating the need for a second pollinator and making it an excellent choice for a single-tree planting. This particular self-fertile cherry tree is delivered as a live, actively growing plant, ensuring a vibrant addition to your home orchard. With its established size and healthy root ball, this tree is poised to flourish and provide you with delicious, homegrown cherries for many years. It’s an investment in both the beauty and bounty of your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Stella cherry tree get? A: The Stella cherry tree live plant typically reaches a mature height of 15-20 feet and a similar spread if left unpruned. Its size can be managed through regular pruning to fit smaller garden spaces.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This Stella cherry tree is shipped in a 3-gallon nursery pot, ensuring a healthy and established root system for successful planting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Stella cherry tree is an outdoor fruiting tree, best suited for planting directly in the ground in appropriate USDA hardiness zones.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: A sweet cherry tree requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Stella cherry tree is considered relatively easy to care for, especially due to its self-fertile nature and crack-resistant fruit. Basic Stella cherry care involves proper watering, sunlight, and occasional fertilization.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Stella cherry tree will arrive as a live, actively growing plant, carefully packaged to ensure its health and vitality during transit. It will be established in its 3-gallon pot.
• Q: How long until it blooms and produces fruit? A: Many Stella cherry trees can begin to bloom and produce fruit in as little as 1 to 4 years after planting, with increasing yields as the tree matures.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a Stella cherry tree? A: The best time to plant your compact fruiting tree is typically in early spring or fall, allowing the roots to establish before extreme summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Stella cherry tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5-8. If you are within these zones, it should survive winter without special protection once established.
• Q: Can I grow a Stella cherry tree in a large container? A: While it prefers to be in the ground, a Stella cherry tree can be grown in a very large container (25+ gallons) if proper watering, fertilization, and occasional root pruning are provided.