Cherry Tree - advice on where to plant plz!

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

You should work on the basis that this particular tree will reach at least 12ft in height and work on that as the minimum distance from any structural walls for planting position. You could consider growing it in a container so long as you can be sure of providing it with a good supply of water during the summer months.
CM

Thinking along the lines of a container, how big would the container have to be and how much would it restrict the growth?

[Seajay]

You can if you must but do it in Summer to avoid Silver Leaf and Canker (gets in through the cuts at other times) and its a pleasure to have been of help.

Colin

p.s. remember if I've guessed wrong it could end up at 20ft. but that does mean more cherries

[naturelover]

Hi clare if this is anything to go by,i planted a silver birch sapling three summers ago, it was about 3 inches tall when i dug it up out of the garden,started it in a small pot in the greenhouse,it is now i would say 4 feet tall but it wont get huge in a pot,but you do have to water it lots and lots in the summer months,i dont know if it will have much fruit on it in a pot,cant answer that one

[agrumpycow]

That's great, thanks! I'll let you know how it gets on!

Betty, it looks like we posted at the same time - thanks for the info!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Thinking along the lines of a container, how big would the container have to be and how much would it restrict the growth?

Container planting will slow growth and reduce potential crop volumes. The amount that growth is restricted will be a function of the container size relative to the plants age. The problem of watering increases over time as the pot becomes root bound and there is limited compost to hold moisture. Poor water available will further reduce crop volumes or cause failure altogether.

Practically you need to start with a container that provides stability to the tree - if on an exposed site you need a heavier/larger container simply to stop the plant from regularly being blown over.

Square wooden and half barrel planters provide good stability although the depth of these are limited -you should look for something that has a planting depth of at least one and half times the depth of the existing root ball.

Container planting is more problematic than ground planting and it's a matter of what fits in the space you have available.

CM

[Seajay]

Claire if you want my advice do not plant this tree in a container. I don't think you'll ever be able to keep up with the watering requirements and eventually the root trimming and repotting requirements. Cultivation is not easy even with a dwarf rootstock and you need to know what you're doing with pruning.

Colin

[agrumpycow]

I've decided against the container
I'm going to start preparing the hole tomorrow, and I've chosen a spot about 20' from the house, thanks for everyone's help.
Fingers crossed next year I may be able to taste my first cherry, if the birds don't get them first!

[Bad bird watcher]

I've been reading this thread with interest as I am thinking about getting a cherry tree. Also I have four trees growing in containers (amelanchier, birch, rowan and ... can't remember the other one). These were fine for the first two years but I got caught out by the wet weather last summer and didn't water them enough and they suffered a bit. I chose these trees following an article in Gardening Which which suggested you top dress every year with fresh compost. Unfortunately they are so root bound that this is almost impossible. I am hoping that with sufficient watering they should be ok and I will make sure they get some fertiliser. As for the cherry, looks like I need to find some space in my long and narrow garden.