Stella Cherry Tree

Stella is a self-fertile sweet cherry with large, nearly black fruit and richly flavored flesh. It can fruit without a second cherry nearby and is also a useful pollen source for some cultivars; [UC Davis Foundation Plant Services](https://fps.ucdavis.edu/treedetails.cfm?v=1445) and [Dave Wilson Nursery](https://www.davewilson.com/nurseries/products/fruit-trees/cherry/stella/) describe its pollination, harvest, and growing traits. ## Fruit and pollination The fruit ripens late in the sweet-cherry season, roughly a week after Bing in Summerland. Dave Wilson lists about 400 chill hours and USDA zones 5–9. Stella pollinates Bing in colder climates, but not reliably where winters are mild. It is susceptible to rain cracking, so harvest promptly and monitor fruit during wet weather. ## Tree form The tree is vigorous, productive, upright, and spreading. Rootstock controls mature size: Dave Wilson lists standard Mazzard, semi-dwarf alternatives, and dwarf Newroot-1. Choose spacing for the selected rootstock and leave room for airflow through the canopy. ## Maintenance Plant in sun and well-drained soil, provide consistent water while young and while fruit develops, and prune during dry weather according to local cherry guidance. Remove split or fallen cherries to limit mess and unwanted seedlings.