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.
Flowering Time: Middle
Ripens: Late July
Storage: Keeps 1-2 weeks in the fridge
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking, preserving
Size including roots:
- 1m+ Whip grade: 100cm+
- Branched grade: 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- <1m Whip grade: less than 100 cm