How to Grow Cherry Trees in Zone 8
- 1). Choose the right site for a cherry tree or two. Cherries need full sun, protection from wind and good drainage–as they don't like getting their feet wet. Choose a site that drains quickly after rain and is 10 to 20 feet from a protective structure. If you're planting more than one cherry tree, plan on leaving at least 18 feet of space between them. Plant cherry trees as seeds or saplings in spring, after the ground has thawed. In zone 8, this should be in April.
- 2). Amend the site. Mix compost and quick-draining soil in equal parts, and turn the mixture into the top 2 feet of your planting site. A cherry's main requirement is for quick drainage and rich, supportive soil. Dig a hole that is slightly deeper than the cherry tree's root ball and three times as wide.
- 3). Plant the cherry tree. The junction of root-to-trunk should be slightly lower than the soil level when you're done. Water the site with 3 inches of water to establish the tree. Maintain weekly waterings of that amount.
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