Evans Cherry vs Opata Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Evans Cherry vs Opata Cherry Plum

Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata

Prunus cerasus Evans

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Opata Cherry Plum
Evans Cherry

Opata Cherry Plum is considered to be one of the best tasting Cherry Plum varieties. It has a pleasant, sweet flavour and a hint of acidity. They ripen in mid to late August and are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

The fruit is closer to a plum than a cherry but is smaller than most plums.The Opata Cherry Plum’s skin is red/green whereas the flesh is yellow-green. The flesh is freestone with a juicy, firm texture. Similar to other stone fruits, it does not store for very long.

The Opata Cherry Plum is a hybrid between a Western Sand Cherry and a Japanese (Chinese) Plum. For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

Evans Cherry is a cold-hardy sour cherry tree that is typically highly productive. It produces bright red, tart fruit that are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves. In the spring, beautiful white flowers cover the branches, adding ornamental value.

Evans Cherry was developed in Alberta. It was rediscovered in 1976 near Edmonton, AB, by Dr. Ieuan Evans.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Opata Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Evans Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: bright orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: skin green and red, flesh yellow-green
Fruit: large, red
Fruit size: 3 cm in diameter
Flavor: pleasant and sweet, hint of acidity
Harvest: mid to late August
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: opata chum, opata plum cherry