Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)

Overview

Joel Bush Cherry is one of the three Meader Bush Cherries (Jan, Joel, and Joy) developed by University of New Hampshire plant breeder Elwyn Meader. These cherries were bred to create compact, shrub-form tart cherries suited to small spaces and cooler climates. Joel is generally described botanically as part of the Prunus japonica × Prunus jacquemontii hybrid group and is grown more as a fruiting shrub than a traditional cherry tree.

Fruit Quality & Uses

Joel produces tart, sour-cherry-type fruit intended primarily for kitchen use rather than fresh dessert eating. That said, as we have said for Jan as well, Joel is sweeter than Montmorency tart cherry and probably on par in terms of sweetness with other tart cherries such as Danube. Flavor is almost identical to Jan. Maybe people say otherwise. Ripened around the same time as Jan (first week of Sept.) in Missoula, MT.

Growth Habit & Spacing

Joel grows as a compact, dense bush, typically reaching 3–5 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its shrub-like habit makes it easy to manage and appropriate for edible landscapes, hedgerows, and small gardens. A practical spacing is 4–5 feet apart, with wider spacing improving airflow and ease of harvest, and closer spacing possible for hedge-style plantings.

Cold Hardiness

As with the other Meader bush cherries, there is no single, formally published minimum extreme temperature. Most places list zone 4 but a handful say zone 3. In practical terms, this suggests reliable survival around −30°F for established plants, with performance below that threshold depending heavily on site conditions, snow cover, wind exposure, and fall acclimation. In colder climates, Joel is best treated as a trial shrub unless protected by favorable microclimates.

Pollination

Joel benefits from cross-pollination and is commonly paired with the other Meader bush cherries, particularly Jan or Joy, to improve fruit set and yield. Planting more than one cultivar within this group generally results in better and more consistent production.

Other Notable Characteristics

Joel, like the other Meader bush cherries, ripens in late summer, often later than many standard cherry varieties. Its compact form, combined with useful fruit, makes it a practical choice for growers prioritizing space efficiency and manageable maintenance over large tree size.