Fruit and nut is undertaking trials of a number of cherry cultivars in order to determine suitability for Irish conditions. The cultivars being trialled include varieties from Canada, England, Germany and the Czech Republic. Most of the trialling work is being carried out using dwarf rootstock (Gisela series).

A mojor influence on the direction of our research is the cherry and plum growing district of Handangerfjord in Western Norway. Situated southeast of Bergen at a latitude of 60 degrees North - further north than Scotland's Shetland islands - Handangerfjord's orchards are an impressive testimony of how to get the most out of challenging environments.

What is very clear from the research done in the damp maritime micro-climate of Norway's western fjords is that cherries have the potential to do very well in Ireland. Among the key factors are appropriate choice of variety and rootstock, sheltered, well-draining sites where vegetation around the trees is carefully managed (or suppressed with mulching), and regular pruning. The use of removable rain covers (in combination with cherries on dwarf rootstock) at the time of ripening will help mimimise losses from splitting.