Much of northern California does have cold winters. Where are you in northern California? Al

There are a couple of new low-chill varieties 'Minnie Royal' and 'Royal Lee' (the one pollinates the other) that are good, if you don't have enough chill for a 'Bing'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Royal Lee @ Dave Wilson

I am in Pleasant Hill.

I am not familiar with a cherry called "Bird Cherry" but you should have enough chilling for most sweet cherries. Your zone should be either Sunset 14 or 15 depending on elevation or micro climate. We are 15 here, and if the trees bloom when it is not raining and the bees are active, we get a good crop on Royal Ann and Black Tartarian. Our average chilling here is about 1000 hours. Al

Bing needs 700- 900 hrs so if you get 1000 you should be okay, but Bing needs a pollenizer such as Black Tartarian or Stella

Bird cherry is not an actual cherry. It is quite different tree, it grew in Siberia during my childhood. I love how it smells. It tastes differently than any cherry, and is about 8 millimeters in diameter (1/3 Inch maximum).

Here are pictures:

http://slavyanskaya-kultura.ru/images/07be4714774672xxl.jpg
http://slavyanskaya-kultura.ru/images/33(7).jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: More pictures

It looks more like a Sambucus variety to me. Try your better nurseries with that name. They would grow in your area with no problem. Al

I found it's American name. It is Mayday, or Prunus Padus.

Thanks to everybody for the help, now I know what to search for.

Anatoliy

Here is a link that might be useful: Prunus Padus, or Mayday Tree

An interesting tree. Please let us know when you find one. Al

Sorry, for some reason I read "Bing". Time for eye exam!

Sure, I will let you know!

Unfortunately I can't bring it from Siberia. :-)