Alphabetical Plant Listing

Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency' (Tart Cherry)

Tart Cherry 'Montmorency', Sour Cherry 'Montmorency', Dwarf Cherry 'Montmorency'


The most popular sour cherry grown in America, Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency' is a medium to large cherry tree of rounded habit with upright, spreading branches. In mid-spring, it boasts an abundance of white flowers in clusters along the branches. They are followed by a heavy crop of medium-large, bright red cherries with firm yellow flesh in early-mid summer. They have a rich, tangy flavor, resist cracking, and are excellent for pies and preserves. The spreading canopy is adorned all summer long with leathery, elliptic, dark green leaves with pale green undersides. Self-fertile, this cherry tree does not require a pollinator but for better cross-pollination, planting several trees is recommended. The standard for pie cherries, Montmorency is a vigorous, highly productive, and widely adaptable cherry tree for both home and commercial use.

  • Grows up to 12-18 ft. tall (360-540 cm) and 20 ft. wide (600 cm) at maturity.
  • Performs best in full sun in moist, relatively fertile, well-drained soils. Relatively easy to grow and widely adaptable.
  • This cherry tree has a chill hours requirement of 700 (hours of temperatures below 45ºF (7ºC) in the winter for their buds to open in the spring)
  • Tart cherry trees need pruning both for training the young plants and for maintaining good yield on mature ones. Train in early to mid-spring and once trained, prune after fruiting.
  • Protect from birds that damage buds and eat the fruit. May suffer from aphids, winter moth caterpillars, pear and cherry slugworm, silver leaf, bacterial canker, brown rot, and blossom wilt.
  • Propagate by chip budding or grafting on clonal rootstock for fruit.
  • Prunus cerasus species is native to Europe and Asia. Occasionally, it forms stands, displacing native species in some areas of the U.S.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Plant Type Fruit, Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Fruit Trees, Cherries
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 12' – 18' (3.6m – 5.4m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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Guides with Prunus - Fruit Trees


By Pavel Jakubec, Peter Vanco, Lulub, Shutterstock, Bailey Nurseries Inc

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Plant Type Fruit, Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Fruit Trees, Cherries
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 12' – 18' (3.6m – 5.4m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Guides with Prunus - Fruit Trees

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