Cherry production in Michigan is a major part of the agriculture industry in the state.[1] Harvesting over 90,000 tons of cherries each year, Michigan is the nation's leading producer of tart cherries. The Montmorency cherry is the variety of tart, or sour, cherry most commonly grown in the state.[2] A Hungarian sour cherry cultivar, Balaton, has been commercially produced in Michigan since 1998.[3]
Montmorency cherriesCherries in a paper basket
Michigan's cherry industry is highly vulnerable to a late spring frost, which can wipe out a season's harvest. This occurred most recently in 2012, when over 90% of the crop was lost.[4][5]
The first cherry trees were planted in Michigan in 1852 by The Reverend Peter Dougherty, who in 1839 established a Presbyterian mission at present-day Old Mission. In 1893, the first commercial orchard was established on the Old Mission Peninsula, north of Traverse City.[9]
^National Agricultural Statistics Service (June 17, 2010). "Cherry Production"(PDF). National Agricultural Statistics Service. Archived from the original(PDF) on June 22, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
^"Cherry Industry". Traverse City Tourism. 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
^"National Cherry Festival". Pure Michigan Travel. National Agricultural Statistics Service. n.d. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
