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There's an orchard near me that grows peaches in zone 5 (I think).  They plant the peach trees on the north slope of a hill, to delay spring green-up and bud development.  They say it makes the trees (or flowers) more resistant to late frosts.  You might want to consider something like that.  (They grow apples on the other slopes.)

Ginda

On Feb 14, 2004, at 3:28 AM, Three Hills Farm wrote:

> Hey NAFEXers . . .
>  
> I'd very much like to grow some sweet cherries in my home garden here in coastal Maine. I live on an island that's about 1 hour 20 min off of the coast by boat, and am officially Zone 5a (my farm is on the mainland is Zone 5). Can I successfully grow any decent sweet cherries out here? I know many tart varieties will grow here just fine, but it's the sweets that I'm after. I just ordered a number of trees of Black Gold, White Gold and Emperor Francis, all on Gisela 5 rootstock, but have no idea whether my attempt is a futile one.
>
> Here's what I know about the rootstock:
>
> "Gisela®5 (formerly 148-2)is a hybrid of Prunus cerasus 'Shattenmorelle' and Prunus canescens and was patented in 1996. It is a triploid, produces a tree about 45% the size of Mazzard, and can be used for both tart and sweet cherry. Gisela 5 induces wide branch angles, good lateral branching, and early and heavy production. It is tolerant of cherry viruses, and heavy soils, but might produce rootsuckers. The rootstocks are propagated from greenwood cuttings and tree support is recommended." 
>
> And according to the Raintree Nursery site:
>
> "This rootstock . . . is very winter hardy and thrives on a wide variety of soils. This rootstock is not only very dwarfing but also disease resistant and not susceptible to virus problems." 
>
> Yet after an hour of Googling, I can't find anyone successfully growing Sweet Cherries in Coastal Maine. I'm wondering if there's a reason for this aside from our minimum temperatures out here (or my inability to Google). Could there be something specific to a Maine Maritime climate--like the fog and/or dry Winter winds--that may have something to do with it?
>
> I'd very much like to hear from anyone in Northern New England who is having success growing Sweet Cherries. How are you doing it? What varieties are growing best for you? Would I be limited to growing only the super hardy varieties like Kristin or less appealing bush cherries?
>
> Thanks in advance for your feedback.
>
> John
>
> * * * * *
>
> John A Gasbarre 
> Three Hills Farm 
> Vinalhaven Island & Union, Maine 
> http://www.threehillsfarm.com/apples.html
> organic@threehillsfarm.com
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