20 Different Types of Cherry Trees

With well over 400 species of cherry trees in the world, it can be difficult to identify which one you’re looking at specifically. Cherry trees are grown on almost every continent, with these trees producing very different-tasting fruit. From Asia to North America, cherries are among the most popular fruits in the world.

Which types of cherry trees are the most common, though? Here’s a list of the 20 that produce the most cherries for all to enjoy, where you can find them, as well as some interesting facts about each species of tree.

1. Lapins Cherry Tree

Named after agronomist Karlis O. Lapin, who developed this variety of cherry tree in British Columbia, the Lapin Cherry Tree is the product of combining Van and Stella varieties. It’s popular for its ability to self-pollinate and aid in the pollination of surrounding trees as well. They can reach up to a soaring 39 feet in height and have a stellar reputation for their resistance to splitting and some diseases. The trees produce a deep crimson fruit possessing a mild and sweet flavor.

2. Yoshino Cherry Tree

The Yoshino Cherry Tree is another hybrid variety, originating from the Oshima Cherry and Prunus Subhirtella. The stunning tree is native to Japan but has also grown throughout the United States since being introduced in the early 1900s. The Yoshino Cherry Tree can grow up to 50 feet in height, with its spread reaching across up to 40 feet. It blooms in early spring, one of the first cherry trees to do so throughout the year. Its fragrant and easily distinguishable flowers have a white color with a slight pinkish hue. The small fruit it produces serves its purpose by providing food to small birds, butterflies, and some mammals. The concentrated juice of dark berries also provides stains for bricks and clothes.

3. Montmorency Cherry Tree

The Montmorency Cherry Tree was first cultivated in the Montmorency Valley in France.  They are now one of the most widely grown and harvested Cherry trees in the United States and Canada. These can grow up to 20 feet, with the dwarf varieties reaching up to 8 feet. They are self-pollinating, although pollination via other sources will create a larger crop.  The fruit produced by the tree has a sour and tart taste, bright red color, and is harvested in the early summer months.

4. Meteor Cherry Tree

Cultivated at the University of Minnesota, the Meteor Cherry Tree is every baker’s dream. This dwarf tree grows up to 10 feet in height and produces sour and tart cherries, a perfect specimen for use in pies and other baked goods due to their intense tart flavor when eaten fresh. The fruit produced is large, plump, red, and shiny. Resembling what most people would associate with the image of a classic cherry.

5. Bing Cherry Tree

The Bing Cherry Tree is the most popular variety of sweet cherry tree in the United States, also widely popular in British Columbia. It’s the product of the Black Republican Cherry and Royal Ann Cherry varieties. Bing cherries are known for their dark, firm, meaty flesh and ability to be eaten fresh.

6. Sweetheart Cherry Tree

The adoringly named Sweetheart Cherry Tree is a product of the Van and Newstar varieties developed by David Lane in British Columbia. Like some of the other trees on the list, this variety is self-pollinating, also aiding in the pollination of other cherry trees. One of the easiest to grow, Sweetheart Cherry trees can grow up to 10 feet in height and spread. The fruit is known for its cute heart-like shape and very sweet, mildly tart flavor.

7. North Japanese Hill Cherry Tree

This variety of Cherry tree is native to Korea, Japan, and Russia, being introduced to the United States in the early 1900s. It can grow up to 40 feet in height and spread. Harvested in the summer, the fruit produced is small with a purple and black color. Birds and other small animals enjoy these sour cherries. Although not often eaten by most people, the cherries can be cooked down and used in pies and sauces.

8. Black Cherry Tree

The Black Cherry Tree is widespread throughout North and South America. They can grow up to 79 feet in height and 30 feet in spread. It produces small, sweet cherries that are primarily fed on by birds and some mammals. They’re said to possess a sweet flavor similar to that of a ripened Bing cherry and have been used in dishes and eaten raw by Native Americans. The juice of the berries has also found use as a drink mixer, birthing the fruit’s nickname “rum cherry.”

9. Fuji Cherry Tree

One of the most gorgeous Cherry trees is the Fuji variety. Their width exceeds their height, with a spread of up to 25 feet and 20 feet in size. They’re native to Japan, specifically on the slopes of Mount Fuji, hence where they got their name. Fuji trees are strictly ornamental, but still produce small, sour fruit that is primarily eaten by birds.

10. North Star Cherry Tree

Another dwarf Cherry tree developed by the University of Minnesota is the North Star Cherry Tree. Created for its ability to withstand hearty winters, fast production, and vast abundance of fruit. It can grow up to 12 feet in height and spread and is capable of flourishing nearly everywhere in the United States. They’re self-pollinating and, as we’ve learned, are capable of producing/allowing other Cherry trees to produce a heftier amount of fruit if planted nearby. The fruit that comes from the North Star trees is a tart, sweet, and sour cherry with a deep red flesh one would associate with cherries. They’re typically used in cooking and baking recipes, but can be eaten raw as well.

11. Van Cherry Tree

Originating in British Columbia, the Van Cherry Tree was developed via open pollination of the Empress Eugenie Tree at the Summerland Research Station. It’s one of the parent trees of the previously mentioned Latina Cherry Tree. They’re grown primarily in Canada and the United States, while also having roots in Norway and Australia. Van Cherry trees reach up to 15 feet in height and are the heaviest fruit producing trees of their kind. They also require a pollinator nearby to help them flourish. Sweet cherry trees are recommended as they’re the only pollinators helpful to this type of tree. The fruit that comes from the Van Cherry tree is plump, deep crimson-purple, juicy, and exceptionally sweet. They’re used commonly in pies, and jams, and eaten fresh.

12. Regina Cherry Tree

The Regina Cherry Tree was developed by researchers in Germany. It was cultivated by the Schneiders Spate Knorpelkirsche and Rube varieties. Along with its roots in Germany, the tree is also commercially grown in Oregon. They can grow up to 16 feet in height and 10 feet in spread.  This is another tree on the list that is in need of a pollinator to flourish. The most useful and common tree it’s paired with is the BlackGold variety.  Although commonly referred to as black cherries, the fruit produced by the Regina Cherry Tree is typically dark red with firm flesh and a refreshing sweet-tart flavor. They’re harvested later in the season, usually in June.  Another great quality of this fruit is its resistance to cracking and splitting due to rainfall during harvest time, a common issue in sweet cherry varieties.

13. Higan Cherry Tree

Going by many names, the stunning ornamental Higan Cherry Tree is native to Japan and can grow up to 30 feet in height and spread. It’s popular due to its longevity and beautiful design.  The fruits this variety produces aren’t eaten by humans but are enjoyed by squirrels and other small animals. The cherry blossoms themselves, however, are edible and are typically brewed and ingested as tea.

14. Rainier Cherry Tree

One of the more popularly sold and consumed cherries comes from the Rainier Cherry Tree, fittingly named after Mount Rainier in Washington. These premier cherries were first developed by Washington State University researcher Harold Fogle. It’s a product of the Bing and Van varieties.  Reaching heights and spreading up to 25 feet, they’re primarily grown in areas of California and Oregon. The fruit is highly sought after due to its unique color pattern and flavor profile. The outside yields a thin yellow skin with a pink blush and a creamy yellow flesh inside. Rainier cherries are less acidic and possess a higher sugar content, making them sweeter than your typical dark, sweet cherries. They are mostly eaten and enjoyed fresh.

15. Royal Ann Cherry Tree

The Royal Ann Cherry Tree is most popular for its sweet flavor, similarity in appearance to the Rainier cherry, and for being used to make the well-known maraschino cherries that are common in cocktails and atop ice cream sundaes. The sweet fruit is best used in pies and canned, due to the fragile nature that most sweet cherries have. The tree itself is a semi-dwarf variety, growing up to only 18 feet in height, and needs to be planted near other sweet cherry trees to aid in pollination to achieve fruiting.

16. Stella Cherry Tree

The Stella Cherry Tree was developed in British Columbia by a researcher we are familiar with by now, Karlis O. Lapin, developer of the Lapin Cherry. He took a seedling from the John Innes Institute located in England and paired it with the Lambert variety, resulting in the first self-pollinating member of the sweet cherry trees. The tree can reach up to 30 feet in height and 15 feet in spread. The fruit produced is lusciously bright red, heart-shaped, firm, and sweet, usually eaten fresh.

17. Nanking Cherry Tree

The Nanking Cherry Tree is native to China, Mongolia, and Korea. A smaller tree reaches up to 10 feet in height and 15 feet in spread. Harvested in late summer, the fruit produced is tangy and tart with a scarlet red color. They can be eaten fresh, in pies, and canned for jams and jellies.

18. Shirofugen Cherry Tree

The Shirofugen Cherry Tree is a prized ornamental cherry tree native to Japan.  With fragrant white and pink-tinged petals that reach a deep, striking pink shade as spring goes on.  Growing up to 30 feet in height and spread. This variety of cherry trees doesn’t produce fruit but makes up for it with its brilliant beauty.

19. Black Tartarian Tree

Primarily grown for the scrumptious fruit it yields, the Black Tartarian Tree is one of the more popular species of cherry trees. This variety is not self-pollinating and will require a separate pollinator to ensure fruit growth. They can grow up to 30 feet in height and 15 feet in spread.  Originating in Russia, the trees were brought to the United States in the late 1700s. They produce large, cherry red to purplish black color, heart-shaped, sweet fruit. They’re great for fresh eating and juicing.

20. Bitter Berry Tree

The Bitter Berry Tree, also known as chokecherry, is native to North America. Its stature is rather small, typically growing no taller than 19 feet in height. Wild bitter berries are seen as a sort of nuisance and are a fitting host for many bugs and insects. Other animals such as moose, elk, deer, and birds feast on different parts of the tree and its fruit. The fruit isn’t used for human consumption, especially due to its poisonous pit.