A History of the American River Cherry Co.
In 1990 the site was cleared, the soil prepared, and the farm was planted consisting of fifteen hundred cherry trees of several varieties. One acre of a variety of berries was then added. Commercial pickers harvested the crops for sorting and shipping. Berries were delivered to local restaurants, served fresh and some made into pies. Then the U-pick option was suggested to add to the commercial business. Newspapers and television interviews followed.
There was a dramatic increase in interest when Sunset Magazine featured our farm and pictured our Utah Giant cherry variety as spectacular in flavor and size! These large crisp cherries were shipped by our local wholesaler of quality fruit to such recipients as the household of the Emperor of Japan as well as the US White House on special occasions.
New shorter tree height and disease resistant root stocks and cherry varieties have been added over the years and are replacing trees as they age. The Jan-2017 plantings are 100 Burgundy Pearl cherry trees are bearing fruit since 2020. The newest stock 100 tree plantings in 2019 are more of the popular Rainier and Bing varieties, now on dwarfing and disease resistant root stock and will begin production in 2021.
