In article ,
"Lynn" wrote:

We used to have this beautiful cherry tree at my grandmothers when we were
growing up that most of us kids could climb at the same time and had the
very best cherries for making pies then it got black (something??)
Now that I have my place I have been dreaming of having my own cherry tree
but have no idea what kind is best, does it need a mate ( like blueberries
bushes), etc?
and how long does it take to bear fruit usually? say 5-10 years growth?

A good sour cherry is Bali, probably known in Canada as Evans.
It was developed by Dr. Evans at the University of Saskatchewan.
It's self-fertile and it's a wonderful pie cherry.

Your grandmothers tree may have gotten Black Canker.

Jan in Alaska
USDA Zone 3

PS: I'm grafting Bali scionwood to a Mayday Tree rootstock
today. It's an experiment : )

--
Bedouin proverb: If you have no troubles, buy a goat.