Description

One of the most in-demand varieties, for both its taste and beauty. Large, yellow fruit with a half-red blush; birds are less attracted, due to the yellow half. Very firm, sweet flesh has a fine texture and distinct, outstanding flavor. Bud-hardy and crack-resistant, making it the cherry of choice for backyard gardeners. A cross of the Bing and Van varieties. Prefers well-drained soil. Excellent for baking, canning, freezing and eating out of hand. Ripens end of May/early June, depending upon growing zone. Stores well. Pollinator required: Choose another sweet cherry variety. See recommended pollinators below.

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Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Mid
Chill Hours 400
Fruit Color Yellow
Fruit Size Large
Hardiness Zone Range 5 - 8
Pollination Pollinator Required
Ripens/Harvest Late May/early June
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Taste Sweet
Texture Firm
Years to Bear 4 - 7

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:
Standard 18 - 25' tall x 18 - 25' wide
Semi-Dwarf 15 - 18' tall x 15 - 18' wide
Dwarf 8 - 14' tall x 8 - 14' wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:
Standard 18 - 25'
Semi-Dwarf 15 - 18'
Dwarf 8 - 14'

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 5 - 8
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 100' for best pollination.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow cherry trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

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Questions & Answers

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88 Questions
Why did you choose this?

My favorite

We have one already and the cherries have an amazing flavor. Easy to grow and fun for the grandkids to patiently wait for them to ripen.

I enjoy these cherries

Cross pollinating with bing, tasty, trying growth potential for my area

Will Bing and Rainier cross pollinate?

Yes, they will.

Will this be a good pollinator with a starkrimson cherry tree?

Starkrimson Cherry is self-pollinating, but performs better with another sweet cherry variety nearby. Rainier requires a pollinator, and Starkrimson's bloom time has enough overlap with Rainier to take care of pollinating it.

is this a dwarf or semi dwarf or standard tree?

I ordered this tree in January of 2018 and received the standard size. I don't recall if other sizes were available.

Montmorency is self pollinating but can can it be used to pollonate Ranier?

It is possible that the Ranier and Montmorency will overlap bloom time to be used as pollinators since they are both mid-late bloomers.

I have 2 cherry varieties could they work as Polinators or do I need specific varieties for Polinators?

Thank you for your question. Common rule of cherry tree pollination is any sweet cherry will pollinate another sweet cherry. Except when it comes to the Bing, there are three varieties that will not cross-pollinate with it and it is the Emperor Francis, Lambert, or Napoleon/Royal Ann. Other than those you will be fine to choose any other sweet variety for pollination.

Will Rainier cross-pollinate with Regina?

Hi Jacylyn, This is a good question. Yes they should both pollinate each other as they are both mid-season bloomers.

What rootstock is used?

We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!

what is the best time of year to plant cherry trees?

We appreciate you reaching out to us. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.

You can plant new plants and trees:
1) when the ground is not frozen.
2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF.
3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!

If I use Black Tartarian Cherry as a pollinator for this tree, what pollinates the Black Tartarian Cherry?

The Rainier will pollinate the Black Tartarian because they bloom at approximately the same time.

With cherry trees do you need the same type of tree to cross pollinate or can they be different cherry trees ?

Common rule of cherry tree pollination is any sweet cherry will pollinate another sweet cherry. Except when it comes to the Bing, there are three varieties that will not cross-pollinate with it and it is the Emperor Francis, Lambert, or Napoleon/Royal Ann. Other than those you will be fine to choose nay other sweet variety for pollination.

Customer Reviews

157 Ratings
3.9out of 5 stars
157 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 55% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 15% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 9% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 4% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 17% of reviewers

1-10 of 157 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 29, 2025
Ranier Cherry
Very pleased with the tree. It arrived dormant with a nice root structure. Because we had freeze warnings, I potted the tree in a five gallon pot with a quality rooting soil mix. The tree has leafed out nicely?no blooms. We have100 degree temps now so I will wait until fall. I am currently watering regularly and feeding with Foliage Pro bi-weekly. Lovely tree.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 28, 2025
Growing
It's growing really good. The deer ate most of the leaves off of it so we had to net it while it comes back.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 4, 2025
Bing cherry tree surprise
Tree arrived in great condition, I actually was very surprised. Past experience with plants that were shipped left a lot to be desired. Tree is thriving n I am happy. Looking forward to the first crop of fruit!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 25, 2025
I liked my healthy tree from Stark Brothers
Stark Brothers always sends healthy fruit trees, and my Rainer cherry tree is very healthy!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 24, 2025
So far, so good.
Tree is doing well. Still early in the game with a long summer ahead, but it has leafed out and seems "happy".
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 22, 2025
Rainer cherry tree
It arrived very quickly. The tree was very healthy. We planted it and have kept it watered. It is growing and doing beautifully. Would highly recommend this company for your trees.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 8, 2025
Love the raineir cherry , i got big cherry dreams
I'm so hyped for thos one , it got these 2 marks of hard amber where i think a squirrel or something may have took a bite , its harder like glass and the tree seems like its doing great yet
Rated 5 out of 5
May 4, 2025
Very nice tree
Very healthy cherry tree to pollinate my bong cherry
Rated 5 out of 5
May 3, 2025
Looks great so far. Came with great looking roots.
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 26, 2025
Beautiful Cherry Tree!
Beautiful, healthy tree! It arrived Beautiful 2 falls ago and is doing very well. No cherries yet, but I think we will have some next year. Definitely worth the price!