Balaton™ Cherry

I have a Balaton tart cherry tree that is 12 years old and has never produced more than 6 cherries. I’m thinking that I need to plant another but what kind?

It may do better with another sour cherry to cross pollinate with. Montmorency is a good choice.

I have just purchased a Balaton cherry to plant. It is about 6 feet tall. It has buds, but as yet no leafing, and here it is the end of April. When I break a tip of branch, it is green, looks alive, but no action. Might I consider this normal, and be patient, or did something happen along the line that caused permanent damage? Overall it looks quite healthy, but healthy for early March rather than late April. What do you think?

This is normal for coming out of cold storage and shipping. Bare root trees can take up to 90 days to emerge from dormancy regardless of the temperatures in your location. You can prune back a tiny bit of the branch tips to promote faster growth.

Is Balaton a naturally dwarfing tart cherry if it grows on its own rootstock?

No, Balaton is considered MORE vigourous and upright than most sour cherries and would certainly be so on it's own roots.

How well does Balaton tart cherry trees grow and produce in the hot humid southeast. You say it can grow in zone 9 (I'm in 7) but will it thrive and be as productive as it is in the northern USA?

USDA Zones are designations of average low winter temperatures and little more. Balaton cherries grow best in high chill hour climates with cool springs, no late frosts, and dry summer conditions.