Brooks Cherry Tree

Enjoy Sweet Red Cherries in Warmer Climates!

The Brooks Cherry Tree is ideal for cherry-lovers in areas with milder climates. Similar to the Bing Cherry, the Brooks Cherry Tree features deep red color and sweet, slightly tart flavor. However, unlike similar cherry trees, the Brooks is a low chill alternative, meaning that it grows well in drier, warmer climates!

What is a low-chill cherry tree? The Brooks Cherry Tree only needs 400 to 500 hours of chill – periods when temperatures drop below 45 degrees – in contrast to most sweet cherry trees, which need more than 700 hours. What’s more, the Brooks is a heavy producer, meaning that it’s ideal for cherry fans who live in warmer areas. Your cherries will also ripen earlier – as soon as April!

Cherry lovers appreciate the Brooks for its firm texture and notes of blackberry. The fruit can be eaten straight from the tree or chopped up to be used in salads or sandwiches. Its tart flavor also makes it ideal for baking.

The Brooks Cherry Tree fits perfectly into any backyard or small orchard. Reaching only a small-to-moderate size, the tree will certainly stand out, with its bright green leaves and large, vibrant berries. And since it doesn’t need much room, it can be planted as a statement piece in the landscape or as part of a miniature orchard. Though it is self-fertile, the Brooks will perform better when planted near other varieties of pollinator cherry trees.

The Brooks Cherry Tree is quite easy to care for, too. If you plant it in well-draining soil where it can receive six to eight hours of sunlight, you’ll reap the rewards all season!

Looking for a sweet cherry tree for your warm-all-year backyard? The Brooks Cherry Tree is your answer!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: The Brooks Cherry prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Select a location that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day for best results. Also, choose an area with well-drained soil.

When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole that’s three times the width of the root ball and just as deep. Plant your tree, back fill the soil, tamp down, and water to settle the roots.

2. Watering: During the growing season, if your tree receives at least an inch of rain every 10 days, then no additional irrigation is necessary. If the season is hot and dry, then you may need to provide some additional water.

The best way to water is by placing a slow-trickling garden hose at the base of the tree. If you’re not sure if your tree needs water, simply check the soil two or three inches down for dryness.

3. Pruning: A year after planting your Brooks Cherry Tree, prune during winter. Shape the tree to encourage horizontal branch growth with space between branches. Continue pruning once a year to remove weak, drooping branches.

4. Fertilizing: Fertilize in the spring and mid-summer using nitrogen fertilizer, ideally a complete fertilizer like a 10-10-10. Apply fertilizer two weeks after planting and four weeks after the first application or follow your package instructions. When applying, be sure fertilizer is six to eight inches away from the trunk.

Tip: In colder climates, avoid fertilizing after mid-summer to prevent new growth that won’t harden before fall frosts.