Montmorency cherries
Cherries in a paper basket

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]

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 Fruit Belt (also called the Fruit Ridge) of western Michigan, and, in particular, the Grand Traverse Bay region, produce most of the state's cherries.[6] In addition, Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival each July.[7][8]

History

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]

See also

References

  1. ^ Russell, John L. (July 16, 2016). "Michigan Growers Foresee Tasty Year for Cherry Harvest". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  2. ^ Michigan Agriculture Facts & Figures (PDF) (Brochure). Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. n.d. n.p. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  3. ^ Charles, Dan. "A Hungarian Cherry Tree's Long Trek To Michigan". NPR.
  4. ^ Dolan, Matthew (June 1, 2012). "Spring Is No Bowl of Cherries for Michigan Growers". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Michigan Cherries". Michigan Ag Council. 2016. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Cherry Industry". Traverse City Tourism. 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  8. ^ "National Cherry Festival". Pure Michigan Travel. National Agricultural Statistics Service. n.d. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  9. ^ "Unofficial National Cherry Homepage: History". www.leelanau.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023.


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