No lie! You can grow cherry trees in Wyoming, just be selective!

Vicki Hayman and Chris Hilgert One of the most common cherry it only takes one tree to produce bas- yoming gardeners know select- tree varieties is Montmorency (Prunus kets full of wonderful fruit. The tree Wing the right plant variety is key cerasus ‘Montmorency’), a pie (sour) grows to about 20 feet tall and wide, to success no matter what we grow. cherry that grows throughout much is extremely winter hardy (USDA har- Some of the most popular sweet of the state and can produce reliable diness zone 4), and is a heavy produc- cherries like Bing and Rainier won’t and plentiful yields. er of cherries. grow here, but fortunately there are While Montmorency is consid- Bush cherries are other good op- some cherries we can enjoy. ered one of the best cherries for mak- tions for Wyoming gardeners looking Most of us are familiar with cher- ing pies, gardeners will also enjoy this for ornamental and food producing ry “trees” with their beautiful spring as a spring-flowering ornamental tree plants in backyards. Two bush-type flowers and delicious fruit. in landscapes. You will want to plant cherries are Nanking (Prunus tomen- several, but this tree is self-fertile, so tosa) and western sandcherry (Prunus

12 BARNYARDS & BACKYARDS besseyi). Both are extremely cold wrinkled, or too soft cherries. Avoid Check the fruit occasionally and hardy, drought tolerant, and adaptable fruit that is bruised or has cuts remove the cherries that have gone to a wide range of soil types. They through the surface. If possible, taste bad. Spoiled cherries will cause the also flower in the spring and produce the cherries. others to decay. Wash the cherries edible, but relatively small, cherries in before using. summer. Storing Cherries for Freshness Save the sweet taste of summer Store unwashed cherries in Nanking can grow 6-10 feet tall, cherries for later in the year by freez- a plastic bag in the refrigerator. spreads to 15 feet wide at maturity, ing them. While they won’t have the Cherries will keep for about a week, and grows best in full sun. same texture as fresh cherries after but it’s better to store small amounts Western sandcherry grows to 3-6 they’ve been frozen, they are great and eat them within a day or two. feet tall and wide and does best in for cooking or baking. full sun. The taste of the fruit varies by plant. Some have good tasting berries, which make a great plum- tasting jam, and others have an astringent taste you may or may not like. If you have the chance to taste the berries from plants of the same source, do so before buying. Plant these cherries for their fruit, but enjoy them in your landscape as a hedge, border planting, and to attract wildlife. Birds, deer, and other creatures SOUR CHERRY COMPOTE visiting backyards will be drawn to these plants as a food source. Sour cherry compote is a perfect use for summer’s Netting, fencing, and other deterrents sour cherries. Use as a topping for crepes, will protect these prized cherries, un- pancakes, waffles, cheese cake, yogurt, ice cream, less you don’t mind sharing. or cake. Servings: 2 cups Nutrition and Health Benefits 1/2 cup sugar of Cherries 1/2 cup water Cherries are a rich source of fiber 1 tablespoon cornstarch and full of nutrients, including anti- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice oxidants, potassium, vitamins C and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste B complex, and other compounds 2 cups sour cherries, pitted that fight heart disease and cancer, reduce inflammation, and help with 1. Combine sugar, water, cornstarch, lemon juice, bone health. There are about 90 calo- and vanilla in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to ries in a cup of fresh cherries. boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Choosing the Best Cherry Boil until thin syrup forms. When selecting cherries, look for firm, large fruit with stems intact. 2. Reduce heat to medium; add cherries. Stir 1 They should be brightly colored in minute. shades of red, pink, or golden yellows 3. Let cool and enjoy. with shiny skins. Reject undersized,

SUMMER 2016 13 Preparing Cherries open part of a pitter. Press the clamp under the broad side of a chef’s knife The taste of sweet or tart cher- and then release it to remove the pit. or mallet so the skin splits enough to ries can be one of summer’s greatest Another method is to place the cherry remove the pits. treats! The challenge is removing the sideways on the opening of a bottle. No matter which cherry pitting pits. If just eating cherries, you can Take the pointy end of a chopstick, method used, it can lead to the cre- simply spit out the pits; however, if orange stick, or end of a straw, and ation of tasty recipes with fresh cher- you’re cooking with them, pit them push the cherry pit through the other ries this summer! in advance. Use one of the following side and into the bottle. For current research-based rec- methods; you might want to wear Method #3: Squeeze out the ommendations for home food preser- gloves to prevent red-stained hands! pit – Gently squeeze the pit with your vation, refer to these publications: Method #1: Scooping out the thumb and forefinger from the center • Information on freezing or can- pit – Remove the stem of the cherry. of the cherry out of the bottom. A ning cherries, see the bulletin Puncture the curved end of a paper- knife may be used to slice an “X” into Preserving Food in Wyoming – clip or a hairpin into the stem area ends of cherries before squeezing. Fruit at bit.ly/canningwyoming of the cherry. Push it down to locate Method #4: Cut out the pit– Slice • To make cherry jam and jelly see the pit and then move the paperclip the cherries in half with a paring knife the National Center for Home around the pit in a circular motion. and use the tip of the knife to remove Food Preservation website at Pop the pit out. the pit. bit.ly/preservingfood Method #2: Pushing out the pit Method #5: Smash out the pit – – Place the cherry on its side into the Lightly smash the side of the cherry

Vicki Hayman could tell George Washington a thing or two about cherry desserts, and Chris Hilgert could instruct him about cherry trees. Hayman is a University of Wyoming Extension nutrition and food safety educator based in Weston County and can be reached at (307) 746-3531 or at [email protected]. Hilgert is the Master Gardener state coordinator with UW Extension and is at (307) 766-6870 or [email protected].

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