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Evans Cherry vs Opata Cherry Plum
Prunus cerasus Evans
Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
(new stock expected: fall of 2026)
Evans Cherry is an Alberta-developed cold hardy tree that has been thriving in the prairies for over 50 years. This highly productive self-pollinating tree requires little maintenance. The fruit is good for cooking or fresh eating when fully ripe. Evans Cherry is an attractive tree, with white blossoms in spring and reddish-orange fruit that ripens to a bright red.
Cherry trees do not like "wet feet" and are not tolerant of poor draining soil. So, select your planting site carefully.
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.