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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 leading producer oftart cherries in theUnited States. TheMontmorency 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]
TheFruit Belt (also called theFruit Ridge) ofwestern Michigan, and, in particular, theGrand Traverse Bay region, produce most of the state's cherries.[6] In addition,Traverse City hosts theNational Cherry Festival each July.[7][8]
The first cherry trees were planted in Michigan in 1852 byThe Reverend Peter Dougherty, who in 1839 established a Presbyterian mission at present-dayOld Mission. In 1893, the first commercial orchard was established on theOld Mission Peninsula, north of Traverse City.[9]
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