Crop Profile for Tart Cherries in Michigan

● Michigan growers produce about 80 % of the U.S. tart cherry crop annually, ranking 1st among states for tart cherry output (6). ● In 2001, bearing tart cherry acreage was 27,400 acres (6). ● There are more than 30,000 acres of tart cherries in the state primarily grown on the West side of the state in Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Oceana county (18). ● Orchard soils are predominantly well drained, sandy loam to loamy sand, glacially deposited soils of low to moderate fertility, although this varies somewhat within the state. ● Select regions in lower Michigan have particularly favorable soil and climatic conditions for growing cherries. Cherries, like other fruit crops in Michigan, are grown on sloped sites to avoid spring frosts. The climate in western lower Michigan is unique because of the location on the east side of Lake Michigan. The lake has a moderating effect on temperatures, which results in long, frost-free autumns and a delayed spring bloom period. ● In 2001, a total of 297 million pounds of tart cherries were produced, and 242 million pounds were actually utilized. Of the 242 million pounds of tart cherries grown in Michigan in 2001, only one million pounds were sold on the fresh market, the rest was sold as processed fruit (6)