The tradition of planting cherry trees near the house

The tradition of planting cherry trees near the house

Cherry trees near the house are a very good combinationbeauty, food, family tradition and environmental benefitsIn the rural cultures of Eastern and Central Europe, it became one of the characteristic trees of the estate: it was planted near the garden, fence, well, farmyard, or on the window side.

The reason for this tradition was not merely symbolic. Cherries are relatively compact, begin bearing fruit quickly, are easily propagated, and produce a harvest that can be eaten fresh or preserved for the winter.

Practical benefits near home

1. Fast and affordable harvest

Cherries typically begin bearing fruit earlier than many larger fruit and nut trees. The fruit is conveniently harvested close to the home and processed quickly.

Cherries are used to prepare:

compotes;

jam;

juice;

syrup;

dried berries;

frozen fruits;

sauces;

filling for baking;

vinegar and fermented foods.

Sour varieties are especially valuable for processing because they retain a distinct flavor after heating.

2. Compact tree for a small area

The common cherry tree is shorter and more compact than sweet cherry, walnut, linden, or large pear trees. Therefore, it is easier to plant:

near the garden;

at the edge of the site;

next to the utility area;

along the path;

on the sunny side of the yard;

as a transition from the garden to the hedge.

The crown can be maintained at a height convenient for manual harvesting.

3. Beautiful spring bloom

Cherry blossoms visually enliven the estate in early spring. The white blossoms are clearly visible from the windows and create a sense of the beginning of a new farming year.

For a family, this can become a seasonal guideline:

beginning of work in the garden;

awakening of pollinators;

anticipation of the first summer harvest;

annual family flowering of the same tree.

Thus, the tree gradually becomes part of the history of the house.

4. Food source for pollinators

Spring flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, bumblebees, and other insects. It's especially beneficial to have several plants with consistent blooms near your home:

hazel and willow - early spring;

red;

cherry and plum;

apple and pear tree;

hawthorn;

linden;

summer herbs.

One cherry tree won't provide pollinators for the entire season, but it will become an important link in the continuous floral calendar.

5. Food and shelter for animals

Some fruits are consumed:

thrushes;

starlings;

small songbirds;

insects;

sometimes small mammals.

The dense crown can be used by birds as a resting and nesting site. Old cherry trees with cracks, cavities, and dead wood are also valuable for insects and fungi.

To harvest human fruit, the tree sometimes needs to be protected with netting. It's best to cover only part of the crown, leaving some of the fruit to nature.

Benefits for the home's microclimate

Cherry trees provide moderate seasonal shade.

In summer she:

cools the yard a little;

shades the soil;

reduces overheating of the wall or resting place;

traps dust;

increases comfort near the home.

In winter, the deciduous crown allows sunlight to pass through. Therefore, cherry trees are more suitable than dense evergreen trees near the south or southeast side of a building.

However, it can't be considered a complete protection for the house from strong winds. For that, a multi-layered strip of shrubs and more stable trees is needed.

Benefits for the soil

Sour cherries:

retain the top soil layer;

create channels for water and air;

feed soil microorganisms;

stabilize the land near slopes and terraces.

Fallen leaves and small branches restore organic matter. A fertile circle can be formed under the tree using:

leaf litter;

chopped branches;

compost;

wood chips;

low grasses.

It is important not to remove all organic matter down to bare soil every year.

Cherry as a family tree

Traditionally, the value of wood lay in its proximity to everyday life:

the fruits are visible from the window;

children can participate in the collection;

damage or illness is quickly noticed;

the harvest goes straight to the kitchen;

leaves, branches and fruits for household use are at hand;

It is easier to protect the tree from animals and crop theft.

The cherry tree near the house becomes not a separate agricultural crop, but a part of the yard.

Symbolic meaning

Cherry is often perceived as an image:

home;

families;

fertility;

spring renewal;

feminine beauty and tenderness;

connections between generations;

memory of ancestors.

In Ukrainian cultural tradition, the cherry orchard is particularly strongly associated with the image of home, family, and peaceful rural life. In the wider Slavic world, a blossoming and fruitful tree near a home was also perceived as a sign of a well-established, fertile estate.

This symbolism did not arise separately from practice: the tree bloomed every year near the house, fed the family, and remained in place longer than one human life stage.

Where is the best place to plant?

Optimal location:

sunny;

well ventilated;

without stagnant water;

not at the lowest frost point;

with fertile, but not waterlogged soil;

available for collection;

does not interfere with passage and communications.

Distance from home

Depends on the variety and rootstock.

You shouldn't plant a tree:

directly above pipes and drains;

close to the foundation;

under the roof, from where water is constantly pouring on it;

near the north wall in deep shadow;

where falling fruits make the path slippery;

near the parking lot, if the fruit juice will fall on cars.

Cherry roots generally do not have the destructive power of a large poplar or willow, but planting them too close is still undesirable.

Which side of the house is better?

South-East

Often the best choice is:

good morning sun;

rapid drying of dew;

moderate daytime overheating;

good flowering and fruiting.

South

Suitable for cool climates, but the tree may break dormancy earlier and be more susceptible to frost damage.

Eastern

Good for moderately warm and humid areas. The morning sun dries the leaves and flowers.

Western

It is possible, but in summer the wood and the wall receive strong afternoon heat.

Northern

Usually there is not enough light and warmth for good fruiting.

Cherry as part of a forest garden

It is better to plant a small productive group of trees near the house, rather than a single tree on the lawn.

An example of a cherry guild

In the center:

cherry.

Along the edge of the crown:

currant;

gooseberry;

honeysuckle;

low rose hips;

strawberries.

Herbal layer:

chives;

garlic;

Melissa;

thyme;

yarrow;

clover;

spring bulbous plants.

For pollinators:

sage;

catnip;

thyme;

lavender on a dry sunny edge.

In the first few years, it is best to leave a mulched circle with a radius of approximately 0.5–1 m around the trunk to prevent grass from competing with the young tree.

Which cherry to choose?

Sour or common cherry

Advantages:

compactness;

distinct taste;

good processing;

often more reliable fruiting in cool climates;

Some varieties are partially or completely self-fertile.

Merry

Advantages:

large sweet fruits;

tall beautiful tree;

large crown;

significant value for birds.

Flaws:

requires more space;

more difficult to collect;

many varieties require a suitable pollinator;

fruits often crack from rain;

shades the area more.

Bush-type cherry

Fits:

for small areas;

living fruit hedges;

windy zones;

easier collection;

creating dense shelter for birds.

Possible disadvantages near the house

Cherries can also cause some inconvenience:

fallen fruits dirty the paths;

birds leave droppings;

the tree can produce root suckers;

early flowering varieties are damaged by frost;

a wet crown is susceptible to monilial burn;

The seeds are dangerous for small children to swallow and should not be eaten without proper handling;

the tree does not like strong pruning in damp, cold weather;

Bird netting can become dangerous if animals become entangled in it.

To reduce problems, it is better to plant the tree not directly above the terrace, but next to it - so that the crown provides some shade, but most of the fruit falls on the soil or grass.

A good traditional estate plan

Near the house:

1-2 cherries;

plum;

apple;

pear;

several currant and gooseberry bushes;

medicinal and spicy plants.

Along the border:

hazel;

hawthorn;

red;

rose hip;

elderberry.

Further from the building:

merry;

walnut;

chestnut;

linden;

large frame trees.

So the cherry occupies the correct transitional position:closer to a person than a large forest tree, but taller and more durable than garden crops and berry bushes.

Result

The tradition of planting cherry trees near the house has practical, ecological and cultural significance at the same time.

Cherry:

bears fruit quickly;

decorates the yard;

feeds pollinators and birds;

creates light summer shade;

strengthens the soil;

returns organic matter;

convenient for family processing;

creates the image of a lived-in and fertile home.

Therefore, for the DREVO forest garden it is reasonable to use cherry asnear-field family tree- near the kitchen, recreation area or edge of the garden, but at a sufficient distance from the foundation and with good sunlight.