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I've got a cherry tree in my garden (courtesy of the house's builder) which this year is full of fruits. They look very nice but I am not sure they are edible. I tried one the other day and it was lightly sour but sweet. The flowers are white.

On a forum somebody mentioned that if even the birds avoid the fruit they are not fit for consumption and mine are untouched.

UPDATE: In the end I DID make a cherry pie. It was gone in minutes and nobody felt ill. So the cherries are edible.

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algiogia
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3 Answers3

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Fruits with pulp are made to be eaten: it is the purpose of such fruits: they help the plants to propagate. Cherries are made to be eaten by birds.

So I think birds find a lot more cherries and other nice fruits around you. Or cats around you make them not to fly on your garden. Just wait, and when some bird will find your cherries mature, it will start to eat it, then all his friends (and not) will eat them.

Cherries are edible, just the taste could not be so nice, in that case, sugar will help them to be transformed in a good jam.

Also considering the number of fruits (and the size), I don't think your builder has planted a special cherry (e.g. a flower cherry, or something more exotic).

I would anyway try to contact him, and ask. Probably it could give you some more information (variety, a good plant nurse, etc.)

Giacomo Catenazzi
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Just as with apples, there are many kinds of cherries, some of them sweet and ready to eat when picked, and others that are sour to eat, yet flavorful when baked into pies. Most birds and rodents can't bake very well, so they tend to avoid the more sour varieties.

See: Sweet vs. Sour Cherries: Everything You Need to Know Before You Get Baking.

Ray Butterworth
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I purchased what was supposed to be an ornamental cherry tree. I didn't know that branches from the root stock should have been trimmed off. (So I was told.) Now that tree is at least 15 - 20 feet high and makes what looks like Ranier cherries every year and they fall and completely cover the patio. I have to sweep them up every year. Neighbors are asking if they are edible and I have to honestly tell them I don't know.

I don't want to say eat some and find out cause if they get sick I'll feel terible. (Might even get sued! LOL)

So how do I find out? Are there labs that could tell me for a reasonable price?

JOE
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