Evans cherry (Prunus cerasus 'Evans')
This little Evans cherry has been such a great performer in my garden. It’s about 7 years old and there are two on the property. They stand at about 3 metres (10 feet) and are near their full height of 12 feet making it very easy to pick the cherries. They are virtually maintenance free since their branches aren’t too dense. In the spring I usually check the branches for the 3 D’s, dead, diseased and damaged. I may find one or two branches to prune out but that’s it, less than 5 minutes!
Birds haven’t been a problem with these trees but some of you may have different experiences. My neighbour has a large Nanking cherry on her property which was totally gobbled up by the robins last summer. While on my side of the fence a only handful of Evans cherries were nibbled and it was a bumper crop so I had tons of bright cherries. I did feel a little guilty. However, I’ve planted two Nankings on my side of the fence in order to help take pressure of hers and I like to provide for nature. If the robins leave the Evans cherries for us, I’ll gladly plant Nankings for them.
The Evans is a sour cherry but they are quite sweet and I leave them on the tree for as long as I can stand it which allows them to get sweeter and sweeter. We eat quite a bit fresh and the rest I pit and throw in plastic bags in the freezer. We make cherry pies all winter with them and I’m drooling just thinking about how good they were.
A bowl full of evans cherries!
Evans cherry blossom
Thanks. I just bought one and wondered how big it will get. I hoped it would get bigger than 12′ as we’ve placed it along the front of the yard for privacy, but I look forward to the fruit! We may decide to get something taller as well.