Can You Grow a Black Cherry Tree in the Desert?

Natural Varieties

• The vast majority of black cherry trees grow east of the Great Plains of North America. However, two notable naturally occurring varieties grow in smaller areas to the west and south. Variety eximia, called the escarpment black cherry, grows in the central plateau of Texas. It is found near streams where soils are deeper and moisture more consistent, not in hot, dry habitats. Likewise, variety rufula, known as the southwestern black cherry, also grows best in soils that are not bone-dry, as in a true desert. The southwestern black cherry hails from the higher elevations of Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico.

Desert Challenges

• Major challenges exist in desert climates for growing black cherry trees. Lack of soil moisture and ambient humidity, overly mild winters and oppressively hot/arid summers, alkaline soil pH and shallow topsoil profiles make growing a black cherry more difficult. Cold deserts --- those with frosty winters --- are better suited for black cherries, such as those in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 9a and colder. The higher arid-climate elevations, where winter snow occurs, of northeastern Arizona and northern New Mexico may be better than low, hotter deserts. Black cherry is drought-tolerant, but is not adapted to the exposed locations of a desert where annual rainfall is extremely low. Dry winds exacerbate the issue of inadequate soil moisture.

Plant Selection

• Nurseries rarely offer black cherry trees as an ornamental or shade plant. In Texas and the American Southwest, the escarpment and southwestern black cherries may be available at specialized native plant nurseries. Avoid planting black cherry trees propagated from trees in the eastern United States. Only experiment with the western varieties of black cherry in desert regions, since they are genetically more adapted to hotter summers, more alkaline soils and milder winters.

Growing Tips

• Irrigate black cherry in the desert. Plant it in fertile soil that is at least 3 feet deep and not blocked by caliche. Avoid planting in naturally hot and dry soils, as well as those that are perpetually soggy. To diminish the concerns about heat, plant black cherry in partial-sun sites with shade in the hottest part of the afternoon. Also plant it on the northern or eastern slopes of hillsides to prevent the soil from baking and heating up excessively, requiring much more irrigation.