How to Grow Bing Cherry
Bing Cherry
Prunus avium 'Bing'
treeBing is a dark red, sweet cherry variety prized for fresh eating and commercial production. It produces large, heart-shaped fruits with firm flesh and excellent flavor, ripening in early to mid-summer. This cultivar requires a compatible pollinator for fruit set and thrives in temperate climates.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-8, with best production in zones 6-7
Sign up to see your zone highlighted.
Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
12 monthsYoung tree develops root system and establishes canopy framework with vigorous branch growth
Water regularly and deeply; stake for wind protection; remove competing branches; apply growth regulator to minimize fruiting and focus energy on structure
Vegetative Growth (Years 2-3)
24 monthsTree grows taller and wider, developing primary and secondary scaffold branches; buds begin forming
Prune to maintain open center or modified leader form; thin competing branches; continue consistent irrigation; fertilize in spring with balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer
Flowering (Spring, Years 3-4 onward)
2-4 weeksWhite to pale pink blossoms appear in clusters along branches before or with leaf emergence; requires cross-pollination from compatible variety (e.g., Rainier, Van, or Coral Champagne)
Ensure pollinator tree is present and blooming simultaneously; avoid frost during bloom; thin excessive flower clusters if desired; do not spray fungicides during bloom to protect pollinators
Fruit Development & Maturation (Late May-July)
8-10 weeksSmall green fruits enlarge and develop deep red color; flesh firms and sugar content increases as ripeness approaches
Thin fruits to 6-8 inches apart for larger size and better quality; maintain consistent water supply to prevent cracking; monitor for pests and disease; apply birdnetting if necessary
Harvest & Post-Harvest (June-July)
3-4 weeks harvest periodFruits reach full dark red color and firm texture ready for picking; tree begins preparing for dormancy after harvest
Pick ripe fruits regularly; water moderately after harvest; cease nitrogen fertilization; prune out dead or diseased wood; apply dormant oil in late winter
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Yellow sticky traps in spring; remove dropped fruit; apply spinosad or neem oil according to label; exclusion netting around fruit clusters
-
Hand-pick early morning; apply pyrethrin or neem; pheromone traps placed away from trees; encourage natural predators
-
Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; prune affected leaves; encourage predatory wasps
-
Spray forcefully with water to dislodge; apply neem oil or miticides; maintain adequate moisture to reduce stress
-
Remove infected leaves; apply copper or sulfur fungicides in spring; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering
-
Thin fruit clusters to improve air circulation; remove infected fruit and mummified cherries; apply sulfur or fungicides during fruit development
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryBing cherries are premium dessert fruits, ideal for eating fresh, in fruit salads, or as garnish. Their firm flesh and excellent sugar content (13-15°Brix) make them superior for eating out of hand compared to many other varieties. [source]
Canning, preserves, and baking
CulinaryThe large fruit size and firm texture of Bing cherries make them excellent for canning, jam-making, and use in pies, tarts, and baked goods. Their deep color also produces attractive preserves. [source]
Wine and liqueur production
CulinaryBing cherries' high sugar content and balanced acidity make them suitable for fermentation into cherry wine, brandy, or liqueurs like Kirsch. [source]
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalCherries contain anthocyanins and melatonin, compounds shown to reduce inflammation, support sleep quality, and provide antioxidant protection. Fresh Bing cherries are a natural source of these bioactive compounds. [source]
Pollinator and bird habitat
WildlifeCherry blossoms provide early-season nectar for pollinators, while mature fruits attract birds and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Bing cherries ripen in late June to early July depending on location and weather. Pick when fully dark red and slightly soft to the touch; gentle twist-and-lift motion separates ripe fruit from the stem. Harvest every 2-3 days as cherries ripen progressively. Fruits continue ripening on the tree but do not ripen further after picking. Peak sweetness occurs when fully ripe. Use pruning shears for easy harvesting and to avoid branch damage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bing cherry was developed by Seth Lewelling in Oregon in 1875 and named after his Chinese foreman Bing; it remains one of the most commercially important sweet cherry varieties worldwide.
- 🌱 Bing cherries require cross-pollination with a compatible variety blooming at the same time; they are self-sterile and will not set fruit with their own pollen.
- 🌱 A mature Bing cherry tree can live 50+ years and produce 100+ pounds of fruit annually under ideal conditions, with some heritage trees producing for over a century.
Want personalized planting timelines?
Sign up to get frost dates, task lists, and more for your zone.
Get started free