Chelan Cherry Tree

Chelan is an early-season sweet cherry with firm, sweet mahogany-red fruit and a mild flavor. Washington State University reports that it blooms two to three days before Bing and ripens about ten to twelve days earlier, giving growers and gardeners a head start on the cherry season. ## Site and Pollination Give the tree full sun and fertile, moist soil that drains well. WSU lists Chelan in pollen group XVI; choose a compatible flowering partner if your site needs a pollinizer, and check local nursery guidance for the cultivar pairing. Sweet cherries flower in spring, and Oregon State describes their blossoms as white. Protect developing fruit from birds and harvest ripe cherries promptly. ## Maintenance Prune during the dormant season to maintain a sturdy, open framework, and remove damaged or crossing branches. Keep the root zone evenly moist while fruit develops, especially during dry weather, without leaving the soil waterlogged. Mulch over the root area while keeping mulch away from the trunk. See [WSU’s Chelan profile](https://treefruit.wsu.edu/variety/chelan/) and [Oregon State’s sweet cherry profile](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/prunus-avium).