Cherry Hudson Semidwarf

Hudson Semidwarf Cherry

(Hudson Sweet Cherry, Semidwarf)
A late-season sweet cherry cultivar prized for its firm, sweet, dark red cherries and excellent resistance to cracking and rot — making it a reliable choice for home orchard plantings that extend the cherry season into mid- to late summer. Developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, it’s often sold grafted onto a semidwarf rootstock (e.g., Gisela 5), which keeps size manageable while promoting earlier fruit production.

Size:



Width: ~8–12 ft (semidwarf mature spread)



Height: ~10–12 ft (semidwarf mature height on dwarfing rootstock)



Zones: 5–8

Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day)

Soil: Moist, well-drained soils; avoids waterlogged conditions

Features:



Fruit: Medium to large, dark red to nearly black sweet cherries with firm flesh and rich flavor — excellent fresh and versatile in desserts and preserves



Flowers: White spring blossoms that attract pollinators



Form: Upright, semidwarf fruit tree with a balanced canopy suitable for small to medium landscapes



Good crack and rot resistance, late harvest time, and extended picking window



Attracts:
Pollinators in bloom; birds to fruit (netting recommended)

Uses:
Home orchards, edible landscapes, backyard fruit production

Notes:



‘Hudson’ is not self-fertile, so plant a compatible sweet cherry pollinizer (such as Bing, Regina, or Lapins) nearby for reliable fruit set.



Grafting onto a semidwarf rootstock (like Gisela 5) keeps the mature tree size easier to manage (~10–12 ft) while improving early yields. 

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

12-15'

Width

6-8'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Red, Yellow

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Fruit

Shape

Broad Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No