Mesabi Cherry
Prunus 'Mesabi'
Description & Overview
A large fruited tart cherry variety that bears deep red cherries with a yellow flesh. Grows very well in the upper mid-west where tart cherries do best.
Core Characteristics
Category: Fruit Trees
USDA Hardiness Zone: to zone 4
Mature Height: 12 feet
Mature Spread: 10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Form: Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Site Requirements: Well-drained site
Flower: White
Bloom Period: Mid-May in S.E. Wisconsin
Foliage: Glossy green
Fall Color: N/A
Urban Approved: Yes
Fruit Notes: Noted for its excellent flavor and large fruit size.
 
Wildlife Value: Relished by birds and raccoons.
Maintenance Tips:
The horizontal tree structure with nice branch angles and shorter stature (12′ tall) make this selection an excellent choice for the home grower as very easy to grow and prune. This variety appears to be much less prone to cherry leaf spot issues than many other tart cherry selections.
Pests/Problems:
Birds are the major pest on ripening fruit. Netting the tree or using scare tactics (hang shiny metal bird deflector tape in trees) may be necessary to obtain a good fruit crop.
Leaf Lore:
This variety originated in Minnesota and was introduced around 1964. The fruit is of excellent flavor and of large size. The yield is not quite as heavy as that of Montmorency Cherry or Evans Bali Cherry varieties but still produces plenty of fruit for the average home grower. This variety has done extremely well in our test orchard at Johnson’s Nursery.
Companion Plants: Mesabi is self-pollinating.
 
Excerpted from: Johnson's Nursery