How to Grow Schmidt Cherry

Schmidt Cherry

Prunus avium 'Schmidt'

tree

Schmidt Cherry is a sweet cherry cultivar known for producing large, dark red to nearly black fruits with firm, juicy flesh. It is a vigorous, productive tree that ripens mid-to-late season and is prized for both fresh eating and processing. The variety is also valued as a pollinator for other cherry trees.

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Example Schmidt Cherry timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Schmidt Cherry
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Schmidt Cherry
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Schmidt Cherry dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for best fruit production)

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Water: Moderate and consistent moisture during growing season; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Reduce watering after harvest. Drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering improves fruit quality.

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Spacing: 20 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-5 years to first significant harvest (trees mature over several seasons)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root collar; graft union should be 2-3 inches above soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good structure

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite for drainage (if soil is heavy clay) Lime if pH is below 6.0

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-7, with cold hardiness to zone 4b and heat tolerance to zone 8a

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Establishment

1-2 years

Young tree with developing root system and initial branch framework. Minimal fruiting in first 1-2 years.

Water regularly to establish deep roots. Remove competing central leaders and train main scaffold branches. Stake for wind protection if needed. Remove any flowers in first year to encourage vegetative growth.

Vegetative Growth

2-3 years

Rapid branch development and canopy expansion. Tree reaches 25-30 feet at maturity with spreading habit.

Prune to maintain open center or vase shape for good light penetration. Remove crossing branches and suckers from rootstock. Thin competing branches. Apply dormant season pruning in late winter.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

White flower clusters appear in spring (April-May in northern zones) before or as leaves emerge. Flowers are perfect and self-fertile, but cross-pollination increases fruit set.

Ensure another cherry variety nearby for cross-pollination (Bing, Rainier, or Stella work well). Monitor for spring frosts that can damage flowers. Avoid pruning during flowering.

Fruit Development

8-10 weeks

Small green fruits develop after pollination and gradually enlarge. Fruits grow 1-1.5 inches in diameter with dark red to black skin at maturity.

Thin fruits if overcrowded to promote larger individual fruits (space 6 inches apart). Maintain consistent watering; irregular moisture causes fruit cracking. Fertilize with balanced fertilizer in late spring.

Ripening & Harvest

3-4 weeks

Fruits transition from red to deep crimson-black, becoming firm and sweet. Peak ripeness occurs mid to late June in most zones.

Pick when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Harvest in early morning when cool. Do not store long at room temperature; refrigerate immediately. Fruits ripen over 2-3 week window.

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Bing Cherry Rainier Cherry Stella Cherry Comice Pear Bosc Pear Nitrogen-fixing legumes Chives Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees (juglone toxicity) Other stone fruits within 15 feet (disease spread) Shallow-rooted competitors like grass-heavy lawns directly beneath canopy

Common Pests

Use sticky traps in late spring, remove infested fruit, apply kaolin clay or insecticidal soap weekly starting at bloom. Remove fallen fruit promptly.
Apply neem oil or spinosad at petal fall and repeat every 10-14 days. Remove fallen fruit. Shake branches to dislodge weevils onto tarps.
Prune affected branches, improve air circulation, apply sulfur or copper fungicides pre-bloom, remove mummified fruit, avoid wetting foliage during watering.
Prune out affected branches 6 inches below the knot, sterilize tools, apply lime-sulfur in winter dormancy, improve tree vigor.
Remove infested fruits, apply spinosad or neem oil when larvae appear, encourage beneficial wasps and birds.
Spray with water to dislodge, apply sulfur or neem oil, maintain adequate humidity, avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Schmidt cherries are excellent fresh-eating cherries with large, dark fruits, firm flesh, and sweet flavor. They are ideal for fresh fruit bowls, tarts, clafoutis, and dessert preparations. [source]

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Juice, jam, and preserves

Culinary

The firm flesh and deep color make Schmidt cherries ideal for juice extraction, jam making, and preserving. The tart-sweet balance works well in sauces for meat dishes. [source]

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Commercial processing

Culinary

Schmidt is a preferred variety for commercial cherry production, canning, and frozen fruit markets due to consistent large size, disease resistance, and flavor. [source]

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Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds

Medicinal

Cherries, particularly dark varieties like Schmidt, contain anthocyanins and quercetin with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Traditional use includes relief from gout and arthritis symptoms. [source]

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Wildlife food and pollinator support

Wildlife

The spring blossoms attract pollinators including bees and butterflies. Excess fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife, supporting ecosystem health in home gardens. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when deep red to nearly black and slightly soft to gentle pressure—typically mid to late June in most zones. Harvest in the cool morning hours. Gently twist and lift fruit to avoid bruising. Schmidt cherries have a 2-3 week ripening window; pick regularly as fruit matures. Do not wash until just before eating. Store in refrigerator at 32-40°F for up to 3 weeks; they can also be frozen, canned, or dried.

Fun Facts

🌱 Schmidt cherries can produce 100-150 pounds of fruit per mature tree in peak seasons, making them one of the most productive sweet cherry cultivars.
🌱 The variety was developed in Russia and is also known as 'Schmidt's Bigarreau,' reflecting its European heritage and adaptation to cold climates.
🌱 Schmidt cherry trees are self-fertile but produce significantly higher yields with cross-pollination from compatible varieties like Bing or Stella—a single pollinator tree nearby can increase fruit set by 20-40%.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Pollination Sucker

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