Cherry trees are prized for their beautiful blossoms in spring and their sweet, tasty fruit in summer. That’s why many gardeners want to propagate new cherry trees from existing ones, to multiply their favorite varieties. Luckily, propagating cherry trees at home is a straightforward process. There are two main techniques: taking stem cuttings or grafting. In this complete guide, I’ll walk through the steps for propagating cherry trees using both methods.
Overview of Cherry Tree Propagation
There are two major types of cherry trees that can be propagated
-
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) – Produces heart-shaped sweet fruit in summer. Common varieties are Bing Rainier, Van, and Lapins.
-
Sour or tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) – Bears round, tart fruit often used for cooking and baking Montmorency is a popular sour cherry cultivar.
Both sweet and tart cherries can be propagated by cuttings or grafting. This allows you to clone an existing tree so the new plant is genetically identical.
When to Take Cherry Tree Cuttings
Timing is important when taking cuttings from a cherry tree. There are two main options:
-
Semi-hardwood cuttings – Taken in mid to late summer when the current year’s growth hardens off but is still green and pliable. This is the easiest approach.
-
Hardwood cuttings – Taken in late winter when the tree is dormant and branches are mature, hard, and brown. Slightly tougher to root but still works.
For best results, always use healthy plant material without damage or disease. Cuttings from young cherry branches root the quickest.
How to Root Cherry Tree Cuttings
Follow these simple steps for propagating cherry trees from cuttings:
-
Prepare a pot with moist propagation medium like half peat and half perlite.
-
Use clean, sharp pruners to cut a 4-8 inch stem section with 2-4 leaf nodes if possible. Strip off most leaves.
-
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to stimulate root growth.
-
Insert the cutting into the medium. Firm the mix gently around it.
-
Cover the pot with a plastic bag or dome for humidity. Place in bright, indirect light.
-
Keep the medium evenly moist but not soaked. Mist daily for humidity.
-
After 6-8 weeks, check for roots by gently tugging. Resistance means roots formed.
-
Once well rooted, transplant the young cherry tree into a pot with soil. Slowly acclimate it before planting outside.
With good care, the cutting will successfully root and grow into a mature, fruiting cherry tree clone.
Propagating Cherry Trees by Grafting
Grafting is another propagation technique that joins two separate plant parts together. It takes an existing plant (the rootstock) and attaches a cutting (the scion) to grow a new tree variety.
Here are the key steps for grafting cherry trees:
-
Select a suitable, compatible rootstock plant for your scion variety. Dwarfing rootstocks can control size.
-
In early spring, make a 2-3 inch diagonal cut into the rootstock trunk where you want the graft union.
-
Prepare a scion stick from 1-year-old dormant cherry wood with plump buds. Cut one end into a wedge.
-
Insert the scion wedge into the rootstock slit so the cambium layers align cleanly. Wrap grafting tape around the join.
-
Once the scion starts growing in late spring, cut off the rootstock trunk above the graft. This forces the scion to become the new trunk.
With good grafting technique, the scion will fuse within a few months. It will develop into a productive cherry tree clone with any size-controlling benefits from the rootstock.
Tips for Successful Cherry Tree Propagation
Follow these tips to improve your success when propagating cherry trees from cuttings or grafting:
-
Use young, semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy trees for best results.
-
Sterilize pruning tools to prevent disease spread.
-
Apply rooting hormone powder to cuttings to stimulate root growth.
-
Maintain high humidity around cuttings until roots form.
-
Keep new trees consistently watered but not soggy.
-
Carefully transplant new trees to avoid disturbing young roots.
-
For grafting, match scion and rootstock varieties that are compatible.
-
Protect tender grafted tree growth from weather extremes.
-
Prune off rootstock shoots to direct all energy into the grafted scion.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Here are some common propagation issues and how to address them:
-
Cuttings failing to root – Use younger wood, wounded stems, bottom heat, and rooting hormone.
-
Poor graft union – Ensure cambium layers align perfectly and join is tightly wrapped.
-
Grafted scion dies – Select compatible scion and rootstock varieties. Protect new growth.
-
Rootstock sprouting – Prune off any shoots emerging below the graft union.
-
Small crops – Allow young trees 2-3 years to establish before large harvests.
Enjoy Your Propagated Cherry Trees
With the right techniques, you can successfully propagate new cherry trees at home from existing trees you love. This allows you to expand your home orchard or share special varieties with other gardeners. Pay close attention to aftercare while trees are young and establishing. Soon you’ll be harvesting bumper crops of delicious cherries from your own propagated trees!
When to Cut into Action
Timing is like hitting the high note in a power ballad—its got to be just right. Your best bet is to take cuttings in fall or early winter, when the plant is sleeping off the summers tour. Planting in fall can be like a VIP pass for root growth, but if you miss that window, early spring is your second chance. Just dont let the cuttings get too eager and sprout leaves before their roots are ready to support them.
✨ Rooting Hormone Magic
Think of rooting hormone as the hype man for your cuttings. Its not just sprinkling fairy dust; its a game-changer. Dip the slanted base end into the hormone, then give it a tap—like youre ashing a cigar—to shake off the excess. This stuff tells your cuttings to wake up and grow roots, but dont drown them in it.
Starting a Cherry Tree from Cuttings
FAQ
Can I grow a cherry blossom tree from a branch?
Yes, it is possible to start a new cherry tree from a branch through a process called “propagation.”
How to grow cherry trees from pits?
To plant cherry seeds, plant the dried pit of a cherry in well-draining, neutral soil outdoors during the early fall, choosing a spot with plenty of sun and pressing the pit 1 inch (2.5 cm) beneath the soil. You may also wish to start the cherry seed indoors, and plant them outdoors in the spring.
How to grow a tree from a branch?
Cover the buried section of the branch with soil or a rooting medium, leaving the tip exposed. Water the layered branch thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist. Wait for roots to develop along the buried section of the branch. This can take several months to a year, depending on the plant species.
How are cherries propagated?
As in many popular fruit trees, the cherry tree is propagated by grafting. Cherries can also be propagated by seeds, but it is usually not recommended for many reasons. Generally, 1-2 years old seedlings (sown during fall) are used as subjects for grafted trees.
How do you propagate a cherry tree?
If you want to get a true “copy” of your tree, you need to propagate the cherry tree from cuttings. Both tart and sweet cherries can be propagated by semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken from the tree in the summer when the wood is still slightly soft and partially mature.
Can cherry blossom trees be propagated from cuttings?
Cherry blossom trees can be propagated from cuttings. Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings are often the best choices. The success of propagation depends on several factors, including the selection of the cutting, timing, rooting medium, humidity, and care after rooting.
How do I grow a cherry tree?
Selecting appropriate cuttings is essential for successfully growing cherry trees. The right cuttings can increase your chances of healthy root development and a vigorous tree. When choosing cuttings, focus on two main types: softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings. Softwood Cuttings: Take these in early summer.
Can you grow a cherry tree from a cutting?
Most people probably purchase a cherry tree from a nursery, but there are two ways you can propagate a cherry tree– by seed or you can propagate cherry trees from cuttings. While seed propagation is possible, cherry tree propagation is easiest from cuttings. Read on to find out how to grow cherries from a cutting and planting cherry tree cuttings.
Can You propagate a weeping cherry tree from a cutting?
Yes, you can propagate a weeping cherry tree from a cutting. The process is similar to that of propagating a regular cherry blossom tree.
How long does a cherry tree cutting take to grow?
Check regularly for moisture and adjust as needed. With proper care, your cutting will develop roots in four to six weeks, allowing you to begin the next phase of growing your cherry tree. Planting your cherry tree cutting involves careful selection of soil and following proper techniques.