Can I grow a cherry tree in Michigan's upper peninsula or is it too cold and short of a season?

Question

I am located in the north eastern part of the upper peninsula

Answer 1

yes definately, the cold season is actually needed to help the fruit "set".tart cherries are a bit more cold tolerant than the sweet varieties.Try a Stella or Northstar or ask a local gardener for a little advise...good luck!!!

Answer 2

I am further north from you in Ottawa Zone 5a. Northstar and Van survived last winter and were great during the summer. Last spring I added Stella (on Gisela5 rootstock) and Lapine (on Gisela 5 rootstock). I would like to add Kristin cherry (on Gisela5 rootstock).
See this website http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/productdetails.cfm?ProductID=C780G
and this one http://www.millernurseries.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=15
These sites show what you can order and the background for Cherry hardiness. Go for Gisela5 rootstock because it makes the tree manageable by itself without too much pruning and makes it fruit earlier by a couple of years.
When I am done this coming summer I will have eight Cherry trees in my backyard. That will be good enough, I hope, to bribe my grand children to visit more often in the summer time beside enjoying the trees ourselves.
I wish I had done it earlier. I know some may die but many will surive. I consider it better than gambling.
If you are short of space, you may go for the type where three different type cheries are drafted on one trunk.
I planted one last spring with five different graft . I am not sure how many of the five grafts will survive. I hope all. If they do, it will be fun.

Answer 3

It depends where you live in the Upper Peninsula. Cherry trees will do well in the south along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The climate here is the same as Traverse City, the world's "Cherry Capital". It will likey be too cold for most cherry trees in the western UP (no moderating lake winds) or along Lake Superior.

Answer 4

While stationed in Germany, we had droves of cherry trees behind our house. The latitude there is roughly on par with Michigan (I believe). These trees flourished in the cold weather and then mild to warm summers. I'd certainly give it a try.

good luck