what to do with new cherry trees

I went shopping for a picture frame, but came home with two young cherry trees. They were so cheap!

So now I will plant them in my garden, but I wonder if they need staking?
Will they need compost?
Should I plant them Now?

any advice on how to look after Stella and Morello gratefully
accepted

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Both Stella and Morello planted, with stakes, but I don't think Morello stands much chance as when his root ball was unwrapped there wasn't a lot of root there at all.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Planting can be done during winter. Dig your hole deep enough so that it is covered by at least 6" of soil, add some well rotted manure and do stake them.
We added a small amount of bonemeal to the hole too.
Ours are showing buds for the first time, so we are looking forward to our first cherry crop this year.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Spinner what's your soil type. If it's heavy clay, chop the clay up with compost and I use horticultural grit and use that mix to fill in the holes around the root balls.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

My soil type appears to be stony, with added stones and a hint of boulders.
My poor cherry babies will just have to make do with the compost I had made last year, from household peelings etc.
(I did try to get some compost, but it turned into a quest ... 'we'll have some on Thursday', or 'We haven't any in stock right now'.

Why oh why do I live in this part of Yorkshire....nothing is in stock, hence ending up with two cherry trees instead of the picture frame I went out for!

((and despite another trip out, still don't have a picture frame ))

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

I know its early days, but Stella looks happy ( i.e. No leaves have fallen off)
Morello is still looking dead, like a random branch stuck in the ground.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Stella and Morello both showing signs of life, and have been joined by Xena the warrior gooseberry upright habit bush. (xenia actually, but I have decided to call her xena)

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Stone fruits, such as CHERRY should be planted over a generous sized hole containing a dead dog or cat, I suppose a fox, badger or rabbit would do.

I did not make this up, I was told this by no less a gardening GRANDEE than the late PERCY THROWER.

He visited the Department store I was a sales manager for.

He was in a grumpy mood cos he had been to a CASINO the night before & lost a lot of loot.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Its too late to plant the dead animals under the trees.
I would also hesitate to eat the fruit of a tree knowingly planted on the corpse of an animal!
But knowing my luck, the trees will not bear fruit anyway.

Re: what to do with new cherry trees

Oh poor Stella! She is taking the brunt of this harsh snow and wind. Morello also is suffering. Xena is stoical. Most gooseberries are.