Compact Van Sweet Cherry

History: Compact Van sweet cherries are a genetic variant of Van sweet cherries which were released by the Summerland Research and Development Centre in British Columbia in 1944. This variant naturally has a less-vigorous growth habit and do not get as tall at maturity, hence the name "compact."

Why We Grow It: Compact Van bears bright red, firm-fleshed fruit with good flavour for fresh eating and canning, drying, or freezing. For anyone looking for a cherry tree that won't take up as much space in the garden, this variety typically reaches a mature height of 8-10 feet (2.5-3.0m).

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5

Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions with well-drained soils, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. 

Growth Habits: Cold hardy, less vigorous than Van reaching about 8-10ft at maturity on average, good crops. 

Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)

Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different cherry variety that blooms around the same time. Sweet and Sour cherries cannot be relied upon to pollinate each other. Incompatible with Windsor.   

Flowering Time: Middle

Ripens: Late July

Storage: Keeps 1-2 weeks in the fridge

Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking, preserving

Size including roots:

• 50-80 cm, 1 year whip
  
• 100cm +, 1 year whip/branched (same pricing for trees branched or not over 100cm)