This is just too weird.
I have a Montmorency that is in it's 4th year in the ground. This year is it's first year to set fruit.
It did a weird thing. It bloomed at different times on different sides of the tree. And now it has different leaves on different sides of the tree.
One side has long dropping leaves that look like sweet cherry. The other side has shorter, heavier leaves like I expect to see on a Montmorency.
Both sides have fruit set on them that looks like cherries.
The different sides are coming from thick branches that start about 30 inches above ground (not growing below the graft).
I pay close attention to my trees and I've never noticed any difference in the leaves on that tree. The difference is extremely noticeable from across the yard. The tree has always looked like I expect a Montmorency to look, up until this year.
I am certain I have never purchased any multi-variety cherry trees.
What? Elvis came down in his space ship and waved fairy dust over my tree?
Anybody have any ideas what has happened to my tree? This is a wet year and I haven't watered because it keeps raining and raining and the ground has been wet all spring, which is unusual here. That's the only thing that is different.
The possibilities that come to mind for me are:
#1: Since cherries are usually budded, you're seeing half rootstock, half actual Montmorency
#2: It could be a sport (or local mutation)
#3: budding error (someone budded different varieties and you didn't know)
#4: UFOs.
My guess is #1, but #2 is also possible. Have you eaten any of them yet?
If it is #1, you can probably regraft that section of the tree.
That's a really interesting situation. It could be a sport, or a mutation, and therefore a different type of cherry. Most new varieties that have come about in the last 50 years have been from sports, rather than from seedling trees, I believe I read. Tell us what it tastes like. You may have a new variety that you could call "Oregon Woodsmoke Cherry", or whatever you want to call it. It also may be pest or disease free, ripen late, or have other interesting aspects. I am intrigued. Let us know what happens.
John S
PDX OR
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