Variety fit — Massachusetts
Can I grow North Star tart-cherry in Massachusetts?
The verdict
Yes
- Your zone 6a and typical 1616 chill hours both suit this variety.
Based on Massachusetts’s main growing area (01002): zone 6a, ~1,616 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 |
| Massachusetts average chill (01002) | 1,616 hours (1,393–1,881 across 10 winters) |
| Massachusetts zone (01002) | USDA zone 6a |
Keep checking
Or the same verdict for another region:
Planting a North Star in Massachusetts? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.
Save this tree in My OrchardQuestions
- Can I grow North Star tart-cherry in Massachusetts?
- Yes — Your zone 6a and typical 1616 chill hours both suit this variety.
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