Heirloom

Bing Cherry

Prunus avium 'Bing'

The king of sweet cherries with large, heart-shaped fruits that showcase a deep mahogany color and firm, juicy flesh bursting with rich sweetness. Developed in Oregon in the 1870s, Bing cherries are the gold standard for fresh eating and represent everything people love about summer stone fruit. These premium cherries command top prices at farmers markets and grocery stores alike.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Edible fruit

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate to Difficult

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Bing Cherry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Bing Cherry · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to Difficult

Spacing15-20 feet (dwarf), 25-30 feet (standard)

SoilWell-drained sandy loam with excellent drainage

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overhead watering during fruit ripening

SeasonEarly spring bloom, mid-summer harvest

FlavorRich, sweet, and complex with firm, meaty texture

ColorDeep red to dark mahogany, almost black when fully ripe

Size1 inch diameter, large

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	September – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Edible fruit. Maintenance: High.

Harvesting

Fleshy, yellow to red to purple-red, with a large pit (stone) and long stem.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruit edible raw or cooked.

Storage & Preservation

Store unwashed Bing cherries in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity for up to 2 weeks. Keep them in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while allowing air circulation. Never store at room temperature – they lose sweetness and develop off-flavors within 24 hours.

Freeze whole cherries with pits intact for best texture, spreading them on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Pitted cherries work better for smoothies but become mushy when thawed. For preserves, Bing cherries' firm flesh holds up beautifully in jams and jellies, requiring less pectin than softer varieties. Dehydrate at 135°F for 18-24 hours to create intensely flavored dried cherries perfect for baking. Their high sugar content makes them excellent candidates for cherry wine or brandied fruit that improves with age.

History & Origin

The Bing cherry originated in 1875 in Milwaukie, Oregon, developed by pioneer nurseryman Seth Lewelling and named after his Chinese foreman, Ah Bing. Lewelling was experimenting with cherry varieties to establish Oregon as a major fruit-growing region, and Bing represented the pinnacle of his breeding efforts. The variety likely arose from a seedling of the Napoleon cherry, though its exact parentage remains unknown.

Ah Bing, for whom the cherry was named, worked for the Lewelling family for over 35 years before returning to China around 1889. Tragically, when he attempted to visit Oregon decades later, the Chinese Exclusion Act prevented his return, and he never saw the success of the cherry that bore his name.

Bing cherries quickly became the commercial standard, representing over 60% of sweet cherry production in the Pacific Northwest by the early 1900s. Their exceptional size, color, and shipping quality made them the first cherries to be successfully marketed nationwide, establishing the modern fresh cherry industry.

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
+Edible: Fruit edible raw or cooked.

Considerations

-Toxic (Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Seeds): Medium severity
-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage cherry trees

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and attracts beneficial insects for pollination

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting the cherry tree

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface and leaves make excellent mulch

Lavender

Repels moths and other pests while attracting pollinators

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and flying insects that can harm cherry trees

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent bacterial canker and brown rot

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone, a toxic compound that inhibits cherry tree growth

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most fruit trees including cherries

Tomatoes

Compete for similar nutrients and can harbor diseases that affect stone fruits

Nutrition Facts

Calories

63kcal(3%)

Protein

1.06g(2%)

Fiber

2.1g(8%)

Carbs

16g(6%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

7mg(8%)

Vitamin A

3mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

2.1mcg(2%)

Iron

0.36mg(2%)

Calcium

13mg(1%)

Potassium

222mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Susceptible to brown rot and bacterial canker

Common Pests

Cherry fruit fly, aphids, scale insects, birds

Diseases

Brown rot, bacterial canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Bing cherry trees to produce fruit?▼

Grafted Bing cherry trees typically begin producing fruit 3-5 years after planting, with full production reached by year 7-10. Dwarf rootstocks may fruit slightly earlier, while standard trees take longer but produce larger yields. Trees grown from seed would take 7-10 years and won't produce true Bing cherries.

Can you grow Bing cherry trees in containers?▼

Yes, but choose dwarf rootstock varieties and use containers at least 20-25 gallons. Container trees need more frequent watering, winter protection in cold climates, and annual root pruning. Yields will be significantly lower than ground-planted trees, but the fruit quality remains excellent.

What cherry varieties pollinate Bing cherries?▼

Bing cherries need cross-pollination from compatible sweet cherry varieties including Stella, Black Tartarian, Van, Lambert, or Rainier. Plant the pollinator within 100 feet and ensure both varieties bloom at the same time. Stella is self-fertile and can pollinate Bing while not requiring its own pollinator.

When should I plant Bing cherry trees?▼

Plant bare-root Bing cherry trees in early spring, 4-6 weeks before the last frost date when soil is workable but trees are still dormant. Container-grown trees can be planted spring through early fall, but avoid planting during hot summer weather or when the ground is frozen.

Are Bing cherries good for beginners?▼

Bing cherries are challenging for beginners due to their pollination requirements, disease susceptibility, and need for precise timing with sprays and pruning. New gardeners should consider easier sweet cherries like Stella or start with sour cherries like Montmorency, which are more forgiving and self-fertile.

Why do my Bing cherries crack and split?▼

Cherry cracking occurs when rain or heavy irrigation causes rapid water uptake through the roots and fruit surface, creating internal pressure that splits the skin. Prevent cracking with consistent irrigation, avoiding overhead watering near harvest, and covering trees with plastic during rainy periods when fruit is ripening.