Cherries

Cherries are small soft round stone fruit which are red or black when ripe.
Cherries originated from the area around the Caucasus mountains in Eastern Europe. The Romans are believed to have discovered sweet cherries in about 70 BC. They were introduced to Britain in the first century AD. Although the fruit has been popular for desserts and culinary purpose, cherries were also used in the 15th and 16th centuries for their medicinal properties.
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Cherries in your garden
The cherry is a popular backyard tree grown for fruit and shade. Cherry trees produce the first fresh fruit of the season, followed by the other kinds of tree fruit. Winter injury can occur when winter temperatures fall below –10°F (-24°C). Trunk bark splitting or sun scald injury to tree trunks are common if trees have a southwest exposure (Southwest Injury), hardy to Zone 5. Sweet cherries usually bloom in late April. At this time of year the crop may be damaged by late spring frost. Sour cherries are hardier than sweet cherries, with Montmorency being as hardy as apple trees. Hardy to Zone 4.