Cherry (Sweet)
Stella Pollination Guide
Stella is self-fertile — a single tree will produce fruit without a pollination partner.
You don't need a second tree to get fruit from Stella. It can pollinate itself. That said, having a compatible variety nearby can sometimes improve fruit set and yield through cross-pollination.
Stella Quick Facts
Chill Hours
400 hours
Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Harvest
June to July
Pollination Note
Has S4' allele — universal pollinator for all sweet cherries
Planning Your Orchard
For sweet cherry pollination, the easiest approach is to plant a self-fertile variety like Stella or Lapins alongside Stella. These "universal donor" cherries can pollinate any other sweet cherry. Space cherry trees 20–30 feet apart. If space is limited, consider a multi-grafted tree with compatible varieties on one rootstock.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Compatible Pollination Partners
Can I Grow Stella?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Stella. Enter your zip code for an instant answer.
Check your zip code →Interactive Pollination Checker
Compare pollination compatibility across all 60+ fruit tree varieties in our database.
Open checker →Most people forget within a year.
Which pairs fruited well, what bloomed when, what you did each season — write it down from the start.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
About Stella
Stella was the first self-fertile sweet cherry, making it possible to grow cherries in small gardens without a second tree. Dark, sweet, and productive with good disease resistance.
Growing Challenges
Flavor is good but not as complex as Bing; fruit is softer and doesn't store as long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stella self-fertile?
Yes, Stella is self-fertile and will produce fruit without a pollination partner. It can also serve as a universal pollinator for other sweet cherry varieties.
How close does a pollinator need to be to Stella?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Stella. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Stella tree?
Yes! Stella is self-fertile and will produce fruit as a single tree. You don't need a second tree, though having one nearby can sometimes improve yield.
Other Cherry (Sweet) Varieties
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Stella?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.