Cherry Sam Semidwarf

Sam Cherry

Prunus avium ‘Sam’ (Sam Sweet Cherry — Semidwarf Fruit Tree)
A widely grown sweet cherry cultivar known for producing large, firm, dark red cherries with excellent sweet flavor and good crack resistance — ideal for fresh eating, desserts, freezing, and canning. On appropriate dwarfing or semidwarf rootstocks (such as Gisela series), Sam remains a manageable size for backyard orchards and smaller edible landscapes.

Size:



Width: ~10–14 ft (semidwarf mature spread)



Height: ~10–14 ft (semidwarf mature height)



Zones: 5–8

Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day)

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

Features:



Fruit: Large, glossy, dark red sweet cherries with rich, classic sweet flavor and firm texture



Flowers: Showy white spring blossoms that attract pollinators



Form: Upright, semidwarf fruit tree with a broadly spreading canopy that’s easy to prune and harvest



Attracts:
Pollinators during bloom; birds to fruit (protect with netting if needed)

Uses:
Home orchards, edible landscapes, backyard fruit production, mixed orchard plantings

Notes:



Sam is self-sterile — planting another compatible sweet cherry nearby (e.g., Bing, Regina, Lapins) improves pollination and yields.



Annual pruning helps maintain open canopy structure, airflow, and productivity.

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

10-14'

Width

10-14'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Fruit

Shape

Broad Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No