Royal Lee Cherry Tree

Seller :Paradise Nursery

This medium-sized red cherry is very firm with an excellent flavor. Very low chilling requirement, excellent pollinator for Minnie Royal. Pollinated by Minnie Royal. 200 to 300 hours. (Pat. No.12417) (Zaiger)

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Not compatible with your zone (2a)

General Plant Information

The Royal Lee Cherry tree is a popular, low chill and compact variety that produces sweet red fruit in a milder Winter climate. These medium size fruits are firm with a great flavor and a small seed in the center. Springtime brings beautiful white blossoms followed by a plentiful Summer harvest. The Royal Lee is an excellent pollinator for the Minnie Royal Cherry, so plant these two varieties together. Patent No. 12417, Royal Lee Cherry trees are estimated to only need 300 chill hours under 45°F during the Winter dormancy.

Plant in full sun in a mild Summer climate such as near the coast or where Summers are not too intense. Plant the tree in an area where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade, and where the Summer sun is intense. In hot Summer climates the beautiful white blossoms can dry if it warms up too quickly.

Royal Lee Cherry Tree – Planting and Care

Attractive compact and deciduous trees become dormant in the Winter and do not need supplemental water during this time. Begin to water once the tree leafs out in the Spring. Increase the frequency of water as the temperature increase towards Summer.

Royal Lee Cherry trees do not need much space between them. They are relatively small trees with non-invasive root systems. In home orchards, plant 10 feet apart or further if more space is desired. Use quality planting mix and organic fertilizer to improve soil quality and nutrients.

Prune and trim cherry trees in the Winter while dormant and Summer thinning will maintain nice compact shape and help fruit.


Size and Spacing

In the home orchard, plant trees about 10 feet apart, and trim them to stay between 8 – 15 feet tall. In a commercial farm, apple trees are spaced 15 feet apart with 20 feet rows are machinery. These trees are grown to 25 feet tall. An apple tree can become almost 40 feet tall in nature.

Standard and Semi-dwarf Form: Our trees are grown in standard and semi-dwarf forms. A standard tree grows tall because the tip continues to grow. The tip of a semi-dwarf tree has been cut about 2 feet from the ground, therefore the tree has a shorter branching structure for easy picking. xxx xxx

Additional Information

Watering : Regular
Bloom Color : White
Sun Exposure : Full Sun and Part Sun
Bloom Time : Spring
Harvest Time : Summer
Plant Type: Deciduous
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Pollination: Pollinated by Minnie Royal Cherry
Chill Hours: Less than 400 hours below 45°F

Planting Information

Step One:

Soil and Planting: Plant in soil that drains well. Dig a hole that is as deep as the tree’s roots and at least twice as wide.

Step Two:

Place the tree in the hole and backfill around the plant’s roots with a mixture of the native soil and high-quality planting mix that has washed sand and organic fertilizer.

Step Three:

Create a basin around the roots drip zone so that water collects. Water deeply until the roots and nearby soil is saturated and reaches field capacity.

Plant Care Information

How To Water

Proper irrigation is based on providing enough water to saturate the soil around the roots enough times per week for the season. This can be accomplished by different methods, from a hose to an automatic irrigation systems.

Quantity of water and frequency of irrigation are the two most important factors to proper irrigation.

The amount of water needed is based on the size of the plant, roots, and the water holding capacity of the soil type. The season and soil type are the two most important factors that determine how many times to water per week.

Irrigation Frequency per week and the Seasons

When Spring arrives, begin to water your apple trees once per week once they start to leaf out. As the weather begins to warm in Spring, increase water irrigation to twice a week. 

Summer time may require 3 to 4 irrigation sessions per week, especially during a heat wave. Reduce irrigation frequency in the Fall to once per week. Apple trees are deciduous, which means they will lose their leaves and go dormant in the winter. Discontinue irrigation water while Apple trees are dormant.

Reduce irrigation frequency to weekly during the winter for evergreen trees. Deciduous trees should not be watered while dormant in the winter.

Quantity of water needed per size and the Irrigation system  flow rate and run times

The plant size and soil type are the major factors that determine the quantity of wate to provide.

For a frame of referance

Smaller, 5 gallon size Apple tree  1 foot in diameter, so make sure to have a watering well (ring) that is about 3 times that. A 5 gallon bucket of water would be enough to reach any soil to saturation. Flood the well with a hose about 2 to 3 times to saturate the soil. A pvc bubbler with a flow rate of 2- 4 gallons per minute will only need to run for about 2 minutes to provide enough water to saturate. A sprinkler would run about 10-12 minutes.

Give a  15 gallon size plant about 5-15 gallons everytime you irrigation to saturate the soil around the root ball. 

 should receive plant has a rootball about 18” wide and 2 feet deep. The planting hole will be about 2-3 times the diameter as well with a ring built up above ground around the canopy to create a watering well. If using a hose flood 2-3 times. A pvc bubbler with a 

 

Irrigation types: Flow Rate (GPM or GPH) * time = quantity

5 gallon – should receive about 3-5 gal of water

15 gallon should get about 7-15 gallon of water

25 gal should get – 15 – 20 gallon of water 

Depends on soil type *

 

Irrigation System 

Hose – A watering hose is a least expensive and most simple way to provide water for your trees. However, make sure to create a wide ring with soil the diameter of the trees canopy to allow water to collect and drain to the roots. 

Although automatic systems may cost more to initially set up, however, they can save you time and reduce operator error as it’s easier to manage an automatic system rather than remembering to water.

Proper irrigation management requires providing the proper amount of water at the right time. 

The proper amount of water is determined by the size of the rootball and the type of soil.

The frequency is determined by the season, type of soil, and whether the plant is dormant or not.

Soil Type

Before watering, first, determine the type of soil you have.

There are three types of soil: Sand, Silt, and Clay.

Each soil has different properties and the size of particles that will determine the necessary amount of water and frequency needed.

 

Clay

The property of Clay consists of very small particles.  Smaller particles allow more space for water retention effectively increasing the water-holding capacity. 

Sand

Sand consists of large particles, which allow water to move more quickly through the soil, which will effectively lower the water-holding capacity.

For a frame of reference, consider how quickly water moves through the sand at the beach. 

Because sand has a lower water-holding compacity, it is necessary to water more frequently.

Silt

Silt is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand.

Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition

Fruit trees and edible plants need nutrients to grow. This is called fertilizer and comes in different forms. Use organic manure, bone meal, blood meal, and humus based fertilizers. Apply fertilizers like manure along with a bone meal, humus based phosphorus fertilizer (1-2-2) NPK ratio in the late winter, right before spring growth. Reapply with organic high nitrogen (2-1-1) or fertilizers with a 1-1-1 NPK as directed by the label during the Spring and Summer growing season. Do not fertilize in the Fall, new growth at this time will be thin, lanky, and weak.

Winter Pruning and Summer Thinning

Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excessive fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. If the plant provides an overly large quantity of fruits for that branch. Reduce the quantity of fruit so that what remains grows larger. This will also prevent broken limbs. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.

Harvesting and Pest Management

The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use of organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.

Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

test. Full sun in mild summer climates or Afternoon shade in areas with hot summer climates.

Limited Guarantee and Returns

Our plants are guaranteed to be true-to-name as labeled and in good condition when received. “Local pickup” means the customer will pick up at our nursery.  “Delivery” does NOT include planting, and customer must arrange to receive items once offloaded from our truck. Our driver may move items as a courtesy, but is not responsible for moving items further onto your property. Returns/Refunds are subject to a 10% restocking fee.

Compatibility

The two factors that determine if a deciduous fruit trees will grow well and produce fruit in a certain area are the Chill Hour Requirement and the Cold Hardiness. “Chill hours” are the amount of cold a deciduous fruit tree need to produce fruit. This is measured in the number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit a plant must experience during its winter dormancy. Paradise Nursery only grows Low Chill fruit trees that meet the chill requirements of all areas of the United States.

The second factor is Cold Hardiness. Cold Hardiness refers to the minimum temperature a plant can tolerate. The USDA’s Cold Hardiness Zones indicate the average minimum winter temperatures of areas. Based on the shipping zipcode, our website will only allow you to add plants to your cart that grow within your USDA Hardiness Zone, and tolerate your climate.

Pollination & Propagation

(Grafting/Cutting) Most of Paradise Nursery’s edible plants are self-fruitful. Self-pollinating trees do not require an additional tree to produce fruit. For your convenience, we have indicated which trees require a pollinator, and their associated pollinators. Only the sweet cherries, avocados, and some plums require a pollinator. All of our other propagated edible plants do not require a pollinator. All of our edible plants are either grown from cuttings, budded, or grafted. This way, we can ensure that our plants are high quality and fruit immediately. Plants will generally begin fruiting within a year of planting.