Variety fit — Louisiana
Can I grow North Star tart cherry in Louisiana?
The verdict
Not recommended
- Some winters reach the 500+ chill hours this variety needs, but not most — expect inconsistent cropping.
- Your zone 9a is warmer than this variety's range (zones 4–8); it may not receive reliable winter chilling.
Based on Louisiana’s main growing area (70801): zone 9a, ~466 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.
The numbers
| North Star chill requirement | 500 chill hours |
|---|---|
| North Star hardiness | USDA zones 4–8 |
| Louisiana average chill (70801) | 466 hours (236–602 across 10 winters) |
| Louisiana zone (70801) | USDA zone 9a |
Better tart cherry choices for Louisiana
These meet Louisiana’s chill hours and zone comfortably:
Keep checking
Or the same verdict for another region:
Questions
- Can I grow North Star tart cherry in Louisiana?
- Probably not — Some winters reach the 500+ chill hours this variety needs, but not most — expect inconsistent cropping.
Sources
- [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
- [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
- [3] Dave Wilson Nursery. Cherries — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
- [4] University of Minnesota (UFOR Nursery & Lab). North Star Sour Cherry — Prunus 'North Star' — accessed July 2026