Bing Cherry Tree

Few fruits capture the pleasure of early summer quite like a bowl of homegrown Bing cherries. This celebrated sweet cherry produces large, heart-shaped fruit that deepens from glossy red to nearly black at full ripeness, with firm, juicy flesh and the rich sweetness that made Bing an orchard classic. The fruit feels substantial in the hand, holds up beautifully after picking, and brings premium-market flavor straight to the backyard.

Its versatility is part of the appeal: enjoy the cherries fresh and cool from the tree, tuck them into pies and cobblers, or preserve the harvest for later. In spring, clouds of white blossoms turn the tree into an ornamental focal point before the handsome green canopy develops. For gardeners with enough winter chill and room for a compatible partner, Bing offers beauty, tradition, and an eagerly anticipated harvest.

Plant Bing in full sun and well-drained soil, with good air circulation around the canopy. On Maxma 14 rootstock, it develops into a productive semi-dwarf orchard tree whose size can be managed with regular pruning. Protect ripening fruit from birds and avoid poorly drained sites, which cherries do not tolerate well.

Bing requires a compatible sweet cherry blooming nearby. Black Tartarian, Van, Rainier, and Lapins are supplier-recommended partners; Stella is also recommended in colder climates; selecting another variety also broadens the harvest and encourages plenty of pollinator activity.

Bing Cherry Tree Details

• Fruit: Large, heart-shaped cherries with glossy dark red to nearly black skin
• Flavor and texture: Firm, juicy flesh with rich, classic sweet-cherry flavor
• Best uses: Fresh eating, baking, canning, freezing, and preserves
• Harvest: Mid-May to early June, with timing varying by region and season
• USDA zones: 5–9
• Chill hours: About 700 hours
• Tree size: Semi-dwarf on Maxma 14 rootstock
• Pollination: Requires a compatible sweet cherry
• Recommended pollinizers or companions: Black Tartarian, Van, Rainier, Stella (in colder climates), or Lapins
• Special care: Full sun, excellent drainage, annual pruning, and bird protection as fruit colors
• Something Special: Bing was named for Ah Bing, the Lewelling nursery foreman in Oregon who helped identify and cultivate the original seedling.

Orchard Planning Resources

• Bare Root Tree Selection Guide
• How to Plant Bare Root Trees
• Fruit and Nut Tree Characteristics
• Tree Rootstock Characteristics Chart