Cherry, Evans Bali

Prunus cerasus 'Evans Bali', often called the Evans cherry, is an exceptional cold-hardy sour cherry cultivar discovered in Alberta, Canada, that thrives across a remarkable range from Zone 3-9. This deciduous tree develops into a picturesque small specimen, reaching 15-20 feet in height with a gracefully spreading 10-15 foot width at maturity. One of its most striking features is the profuse display of showy white blossoms that emerge before the foliage in early spring, creating a breathtaking cloud of pure white flowers that serves as an important early nectar source for pollinators. The abundant, bright red fruits ripen in mid-summer (typically July in North Dakota), with each cherry measuring approximately 3/4 inch in diameter and containing a relatively small pit compared to other sour cherry varieties. The intensely flavored, ruby-red flesh offers the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, making it exceptionally versatile for culinary applications including vibrant jams, rich jellies, traditional pies, and distinctive wines and liqueurs. Unlike many fruit trees, Evans Bali is completely self-fertile, allowing a single tree to produce abundant harvests without requiring a pollination partner. This cherry demonstrates remarkable urban tolerance, withstanding pollution, restricted spaces, and varying soil conditions while maintaining good resistance to common cherry diseases. Its combination of extreme cold hardiness, ornamental beauty, delicious fruit production, and adaptability to challenging conditions makes Evans Bali an outstanding multi-purpose addition to North Dakota landscapes, providing visual appeal, wildlife value, and culinary harvests.