Alkavo Mazzard Cherry Tree

Alkavo Mazzard Cherry Tree is where beauty and bounty come together to create a haven of sweetness in your garden! Alkavo blooms showy, fragrant, 5-petaled, white flowers in April and produces sweet, edible cherries in mid-summer. The Alkavo Cherry Tree is a carefully selected clone of cherry trees that produces about 10% smaller-sized trees, making it easier to harvest sweet cherries. Birds and mammals are attracted to these sweet fruits, enjoying the sweet red cherries and dispersing the seeds. Alkavo is tested for good tree-disease resistance and is also more frost-hardy than the common cherry trees. Alkavo is excellent against urban pollution and is a great landscaping plant in inner-city environments. With its picturesque blossoms and delicious fruit, the Alkavo Cherry Tree is a timeless addition!

Also Known As: CVI Mazzard Cherry, Alkavo CVI Mazzard Cherry Flowering Tree, Fragrant Flowering Plant, Edible Fruit Tree, Urban Tolerant Plant, Ornamental Fruit Tree.

Plant Name:	Tree, Alkavo Mazzard Cherry (CVI)
Latin Name:	Prunus avium 'Alkavo'
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Years to Fruit:	3 - 5 Years
Plant Height:	50 - 70 Feet
Spread:	15 - 30 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	5-11
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 15 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. Soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water and let stand before cold-stratifying. To stratify, roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to keep seeds at 35F-40F at least 1 month, mimicking winter conditions. After the stratification period, seeds should be ready to germinate. To germinate seeds, place the bags in a warm 70F-90F area. After 10 days, plant the seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F, about 1 month before the last expected frost in spring. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant seeds in late summer to naturally cold-stratify seeds. Soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water prior to sowing. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 15-30 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	15-30 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	30 feet

Care During the Season:

Cherry trees can produce fruit for many years with care. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Young trees need consistent watering, especially in dry periods, but mature trees are more drought-tolerant. Fertilize the young trees with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year to encourage healthy growth, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive leaf growth instead of fruit. Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. As the trees grow, prune any damaged or competing stems to shape the tree and ensure a strong structure.

Harvesting:

Pick Cherries before they fall at full maturity, when deep red and ripe, around mid-summer. To pick cherries, gently grasp the stem and twist or pull, leaving the stem attached if possible to prolong freshness. If harvesting for immediate consumption, cherries can be picked by hand, but for larger quantities, using clippers or small shears can help avoid damaging the fruit and branches.