According to the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, the first cherry trees planted in Montana were in 1866 by a man named Thomas W. Harris. They were planted in the Bitterroot Valley, which is about 170 miles from here. By 1920, cherry growers finally gave up in the Bitterroot Valley as cattle ranching was favored. It was found that the Flathead Lake Region had a more favorable climate for growing cherries. One of the oldest orchards in the Flathead belonged to Harry Chapman who had settled here in 1893. His ranch named "Bear Dance Ranch" was on the east shore of Flathead Lake. The lake helps to moderate temperatures keeping the east shore of Flathead Lake warmer and more conducive to cherry growing. I've also learned that the first cherry packing plant was here in Kalispell but later moved to Finley Point, just north of Polson, to make way for Kalispell Center Mall.
Cherries are drupes, or stone fruits, and are related to plums or more specifically to peaches and nectarines. Cherries are grown in several regions of the United States, but 70% of the cherries produced come from 4 states (Utah, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon). The Bing cherry is the most popular sweet cherry with the Montgomery being the favorite sour one. Cherries are high in antioxidants and make a delicious healthy snack.
A couple of varieties of cherries, Rainiers and Lamberts, are grown here in Northwest Montana with the sweet Lambert being my favorite. They are so good that my husband with his discriminating taste buds has taken to eating them all season. We recently picked 42 lbs of fresh cherries from a grove in Lakeside, in which we canned and made jam. If you would like to know more about canning check out Ball's fresh preserving website.
