Growing Cherry Trees from Seeds: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Growing cherry trees from seeds can be a rewarding project, though the resulting fruit may differ from the parent. A gardener in Zone 7 collected Bing and Rainier cherry pits and asked about germination methods and timelines.

Seed Preparation & Stratification

Cherry seeds require a cold stratification period to break dormancy. Two effective methods:

1. Outdoor stratification: Plant pits 1 inch deep in a pot and leave outdoors over winter. Ensure 90-120 days at or below 40°F (4°C). Water during dry spells. Germination occurs in spring.
2. Refrigerator stratification: Place pits in a damp paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag. Refrigerate for 90-120 days. Then plant 1 inch deep in a pot, keep warm. Germination may take a few weeks to several months.

Important Notes

• Some seeds may need two cold/warm cycles, but one stratification usually suffices for stone fruits.
• Trees grown from hybrid seeds (like most store-bought cherries) may produce variable fruit quality, but often still edible and delicious.
• Expect 3-5 years or more before fruiting.