- Chelan (Cherry) : Chelan refers to the leading variety of early-ripening sweet cherry of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Fruit ripens two weeks ahead of Bing, yet resembles Bing with firm, high quality, round, dark red, heart-shaped fruit of good size (moderately large) . The best deep, good flavored, mahogany red cherry matures two weeks ahead of Bing and less susceptible or quite resistant to rain-cracking.