Mine seem to be good and healthy and easy to grow, which is good for me!!!

I initially had some questions as to pruning and all that, but I think the general consensus is that they're a natural shrub and would be hard to train to a tree form. I think some people are able to do that though.

But mine are shrubs, and I had a little sample of the fruit last year, but not a whole lot of cherries stayed set. This year ought to be much better, they've been in since '11 & '12 so this is the year I'm waiting for!

Here's a picture of the dark skin and juice of the CJ next to a bright red Early Richmond cherry

Cool man, thanks a lot. I think I'm going to get one. Staying a shrub is fine, since I don't have a lot of room for it! lol

Carmine Jewell have survived several years of drought, extreme cold and heat! This is what they look like right now. They are a winner!

This post was edited by ClarkinKS on Sun, Apr 20, 14 at 18:00

Wow, I'm amazed how much further ahead they are in zone 5. Here's what mine looks like today in zone 3. Won't look like yours does now for another month.
{{gwi:89783}}

I had no idea there was that much difference. Great looking bush! Carmine Jewell's seem to do great there!

I bought a Carmine Jewel from Henry Fields in their half-off sale, not expecting much, and it looks like it's headed for "tree shape" to me. A small tree, but it has a single trunk for about 18 inches, then splits into three branches, with all of the leaves up about 2 1/2 feet or more. It looks almost like one of those silly topiary ball-on-a-stick plants you sometimes see in formal gardens.