Fruit
North Star
A tier
North Star is a dwarf, cold-hardy sour cherry from Minnesota breeding—compact tree, dark red fruit, and reliable pie-cherry acid in small gardens and northern climates. Fruit is smaller than some commercial types but intensely tart and productive on a manageable tree. Self-fertile habit helps single-tree yards. Perfect for home pie makers, northern landscapes, and patio-orchard scale. Pit and freeze surplus each season. Birds love the fruit—netting may be required.
Track this ingredient
Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
History
University of Minnesota released North Star for cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry culture.
Northern gardeners adopted North Star widely for pie fruit.
Nursery trade kept North Star as a standard compact tart cherry.
North Star remained a top home-garden sour cherry recommendation.