My cherry tree can't withstand spring frosts

I've had a cherry tree in my garden for almost ten years now, and let me tell you, spring frosts are enemy number one. Especially here where temperatures swing up and down pretty badly between March and May. The problem is that the cherry tree flowers early, when there's still no guarantee that nighttime frosts won't come back, and the flowers are incredibly fragile in frost. I've lost entire harvests just because a sudden frost came one April night.

The most effective solution I've found is protecting the tree when frost forecasts come in. I use non-woven fabric sheets that let light through but keep the heat in - I put them on in the evening and take them off in the morning when the temperature rises. Some people also use water, watering during the night: when the water freezes on the flowers, it paradoxically protects them from the worst damage. Another thing that helps is choosing a spot protected from the wind, maybe against a wall that reflects heat. And then there are the hardier varieties - if you're planting a new cherry tree, look into ones that flower a bit later, they've got a better shot at making it through.

Honestly, losing some percentage of the harvest happens to pretty much anyone growing cherry trees in areas with late frosts. It's not your fault, it's just how nature works. What matters is minimizing the damage year after year. In the ten years I've had mine, I've saved the harvest six times, not bad considering where I live.