For several years now, fruit, grown in Washington, has been successfully packed and shipped by a Wasco County packer. Trees grown in Wasco County have produced high quality fruit but experience is still limited. Chelan can be harvested as early as 10 to 12 days before Bing but one Wasco County grower reports that it ripens only 4 to 5 days before Bing. The cherry is reportedly Bing size or slightly smaller, however, young trees in Wasco County have consistently produced fruit of equal or larger size. The cherry is similar to Bing in appearance with mahogany red skin and medium to dark red flesh.
Fruit is firm and flavorful with some tolerance to cracking.
First bloom is a few days before Bing. Bloom, however, is prolific and generally overlaps Bing. Cross-pollinizers include Rainier, Bing, Van, Black Republican, Lapins and Sweetheart. Incompatible with Tieton. Chelan fruits heavily requiring good management to achieve optimal fruit size.