Yingtiao is an ancient name for the cherry; an analysis of this fruit tree's characteristics and key cultivation points

Yingtiao is an ancient name for the cherry, recorded in many ancient herbal and agricultural texts. The ancients considered its fruit small and crystalline, and often eaten by orioles, hence other aliases such as Hantao and Yingtao. Today people generally just call it cherry (yingtao), and the term yingtiao is mainly preserved in ancient records and some local names.

Botanically, the cherry is a deciduous tree of the genus Prunus in the rose family (Rosaceae). In spring it flowers before the leaves emerge, with white flowers tinged with pink; the fruit is small and nearly round, and when ripe the skin is bright red and the flesh soft and juicy. Common cultivated types include the Chinese cherry, the European sweet cherry and the Nanking cherry, which differ in fruit size, flavor and ripening period.

Cherries like light and a cool climate, and are suited to deep soil with good drainage. The roots fear both waterlogging and drought, so water management must be balanced. Most varieties have weak self-fruiting ability, so pollinator trees are usually needed when planting; rain as the fruit nears ripening easily causes cracking, so growers often use rain-shelter cultivation and timely drainage to reduce losses.

Besides being eaten fresh, yingtiao fruit can be processed into jam, fruit wine, candied fruit and more. In spring the flowers bloom in clusters and the tree shape is attractive, so it is also often used in courtyard planting and ornamental landscaping. When selecting, choose those with bright green stalks and glossy, plump fruit; the fresh fruit has thin skin and lots of juice and does not store or transport well, so after buying it is best to refrigerate and eat it soon.

Because the ripening period is concentrated and post-harvest losses are large, yingtiao is mostly sold near where it is grown, which is one reason its market price is relatively high. When growing it in a courtyard, also watch out for birds pecking the fruit; routine pruning and orchard cleanup can reduce the occurrence of common problems such as gummosis.