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GLT's Grow: Cherry Tree Mystery

Bonnie Carroll
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Bonnie in Normal is curious about what type of cultivar the cherry tree in her grandmother's yard could be.  It's early ripening with thin-skinned, fire engine red cherries.  

  • Based on Bonnie's description of the tree, GLT's Grow host Patrick Murphy said it was likely a common type of sour cherry, prunus cerasus, not to be confused with prunus avium, which is a sweet cherry variety. 
    Credit Bonnie Carroll
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    This cherry tree is likely about 50 years old.
  • The sour cherry is not native to America.  They originated in the Caspian Sea area and were brought here by immigrants.  There's a cherry tree that represents 95 percent of the sour cherries in America and it's the Montmorency.  These cherries make great pies!  
  • Murph said it's probable Bonnie's tree was planted about fifty years ago.  
  • There is a possibility the tree could be an Early Richmond Cherry Tree.  Checking old seed and horticulture catalogs could help settle the question.  They are available on the internet.
    Credit Bonnie Carroll
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    Tart cherry from Bonnie's grandmother's tree.
Reporter, content producer and former All Things Considered host, Laura Kennedy is a native of the Midwest who occasionally affects an English accent just for the heck of it. Related to two U.S. presidents, Kennedy appalled her family by going into show business.