Skeena Sweet Cherry

Overview

Skeena Cherry, another sweet cherry grown around Flathead Lake, is known for its late ripening. It typically ripens a couple of weeks after Bing, making it a great addition to extend the harvest season. Skeena is a cross from the Summerland Research Center in British Columbia, resulting from a combination of a Van/Stella hybrid and a Bing/Stella hybrid.

Flavor Profile and Parentage

Skeena’s flavor is undoubtedly influenced by its Stella parentage, imparting a rich, sweet flavor that is highly praised. The cherries we’ve grown around Flathead Lake have excellent flavor (no hyperbole) with a perfect balance of sweetness and a slight bit a tart kick. They almost had a tropical fruit flavor.

However, the hardiness Skeena inherits from its Van parent may be slightly tempered by the reduced cold tolerance of its Bing side. While it offers perhaps the best flavor of the sweet cherries, Skeena is likely the least hardy sweet cherry variety we grow.

Cold Hardiness and Growing Conditions

Skeena is best suited for warmer microclimates, such as those found around Missoula, Flathead Lake, and a few other protected spots in Montana. In terms of hardiness, it may not be the best choice for colder areas. However, like all sweet cherries, the key to successful growth in colder climates depends less on zone hardiness and more on factors like temperature drops below 0°F before December 1st, soil saturation, and the tree's ability to harden off in the fall.

Rootstock and Growth

These Skeena trees are grafted onto Mazzard rootstock, which provides good growth, strong stability, and disease resistance, helping the trees thrive in a range of conditions.

Skeena is best suited for USDA Zones 5-6 or warmer microclimates, making it ideal for areas like Missoula and around Flathead Lake in Montana, but less suitable for colder regions.