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Tart Cherry variety

North Star

The short answer

North Star requires 500 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–8[2]. It is self-fertile[2].

Growing facts

North Star growing facts
Chill requirement500 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–8[2]
PollinationSelf-fertile[2]
Harvest windowJune–July[3]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for tart cherries)[4]
North Star tart cherrySpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Notes

  • Self-pollinating; a naturally dwarf tart cherry bred by the University of Minnesota, reaching about 7-9 ft tall.[2]
  • Ripens early-to-mid July in Utah conditions.[3]
  • Potential disease issues include brown rot, powdery mildew, black knot, leaf spot and bacterial canker.[2]

A year with your North Star

When the work happens for a tart cherry in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Tart Cherry in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Spray timing—————
Harvest——————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month tart cherry calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow North Star where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a North Star? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does North Star need?
North Star needs 500 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit North Star?
North Star grows in USDA zones 4–8.
Is North Star self-pollinating?
North Star is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Cherries — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] University of Minnesota (UFOR Nursery & Lab). North Star Sour Cherry — Prunus 'North Star' — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Utah State University Extension (Intermountain Tree Fruit Production Guide). Varieties for Utah — Cherry — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026