It is my goal to grow cherries without chemicals, but it takes more than planting trees to successfully grow the fruit.  Cherries prefer a climate with a solid winter chill exceeding 1000 hours below 44.6° F (7° C) with sustained temperatures above 53.6° F (12 ° C) during propagation.  pH should be slightly acidic (between 5.5 and 7.0) and water must be able to drain, so sandy soils like those found in Northern Michigan, are ideal.    

Location, climate, temperature and soil.  In addition, it’s important to consider root stock and grafting – choosing a nursery that is careful to match appropriate root stocks to trees.  (Too rigorous a rootstock can result in splitting around the base leading to infestations.)  

Next, the variety must be examined for resistance to cracking and disease, flavor, timing, and size.  And all of this research must be done ahead of planting.  This is why Michigan invented winter!