Technical sheet of the Belgian Cherry variety
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Fruit flesh color: Red
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Skin color: Bright red
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Size and shape: Large, heart-shaped
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Tree size: 4 to 5 meters in height
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Fruit maturity: June and July
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Fruit taste: Sweet and juicy, good taste quality, aromatic and balanced
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Earliness of the variety: Semi-late
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Fruiting period: June and July
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Disease resistance and storage: Good resistance to shattering. Storage for approximately one week.
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Variety yield: High
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Commercial use:
- Consumption of fresh fruit
- Processing into jams, preserves and pastries
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Comments: Adapted to varied climates, resistant to -20°C, requires staking
Quick Read / The Essentials of Belgian Cherry Trees
The Belgian Cherry is a variety whose exact origin remains uncertain, although its name suggests an ancient establishment in Belgium. Potentially the result of a local cross or regional selection, this variety remains to be studied in depth to assess its commercial and agronomic potential . Its ability to adapt to temperate and oceanic climates makes it an interesting option for producers seeking diversification.
This medium to strong tree requires a compatible pollinator , given its self-sterility. The fruiting and eating quality of its cherries are not yet fully documented, but it is likely that the harvest will take place between June and July , like other similar sweet cherries.
To ensure efficient and productive cultivation, it is essential to source from a trusted supplier . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , offers carefully selected Belgian Cherry plants, ensuring better adaptation to French orchards. Buying Belgian Cherry plants from a specialist optimizes production and ensures consistent fruiting.
The Belgian Cherry tree is adapted to temperate climates, particularly in oceanic areas, and requires well-drained, deep soil rich in organic matter . Its tolerance to calcareous soils remains to be determined, but an excess of active limestone could lead to iron chlorosis.
To optimize its development, the use of an adequate rootstock is essential. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , offers suitable solutions, including:
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Ceravium : medium vigor and good compatibility with sweet cherry trees.
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Maxma 14 : semi-dwarfing, with rapid fruit set and good anchoring.
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Gisela 6 : ideal for intensive cultivation thanks to its dwarfing effect.
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Wild cherry (Prunus avium) : promotes long life, but slows fruit set.
Thanks to its expertise, Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , offers a wide selection of plants adapted to the needs of producers. Buying Belgian cherry plants from a specialist guarantees a good start to the orchard and controlled growth.
Presentation of the Belgian Cherry Tree
The Belgian Cherry is a variety whose precise origin remains uncertain, although its name suggests a historical establishment in Belgium . It could be a local old variety or a regional name grouping together several cultivars adapted to the Belgian climate. This variety deserves in-depth study to determine its potential for commercial orchards and cherry production in France .
General characteristics
The Belgian Cherry is a tree of medium to strong vigor , producing fruit whose taste qualities are not specifically documented . Like the majority of sweet cherries , it is self-sterile , requiring a pollinating variety to ensure optimal production.
Its fruiting depends on climatic conditions, and its harvest period remains to be precisely determined . However, based on the data available on other similar varieties, we can assume a harvest between June and July .
Growing conditions
The Belgian Cherry tree is adapted to temperate and oceanic climates , which makes it a potentially viable variety in France . Its behavior in drier conditions or at altitude remains to be determined.
It tolerates various soil types, but like most cherries, it prefers well-drained, deep soil rich in organic matter . It is likely to tolerate calcareous soils moderately and may be prone to iron chlorosis if there is excess active lime.
A location in full sun and sheltered from strong winds is recommended to encourage flowering and ensure good fruit set .
Recommended rootstocks
In the absence of precise information on the ideal rootstock for the Belgian Cherry tree, we can recommend those usually used for sweet cherries in France:
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Ceravium : Medium vigor, good compatibility with sweet cherry trees and resistance to viruses.
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Maxma 14 : Semi-dwarfing, vigorous, offers good anchoring and rapid fruiting.
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Gisela 6 : Ideal for intensive crops, medium vigor with a good dwarfing effect.
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Wild cherry (Prunus avium) : Provides vigor and longevity but slows fruit set.
The choice of rootstock will depend on local growing conditions and production objectives .
Pollination and yield
Since the Belgian Cherry tree is self-sterile , it must be planted with a compatible pollinator to ensure good fruiting. Varieties that may be compatible include:
- Burlat
- Napoleon
- Bigarreau Moreau
- Van
- Regina
It is recommended to plant the pollinator within a 25 meter radius to ensure effective insect pollination.
The exact yield of the Belgian Cherry tree remains unknown , but based on similar varieties, a mature tree could produce between 30 and 50 kg of cherries per year , depending on growing conditions.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
Sources do not specify the resistance of the Belgian Cherry tree to diseases, but it is recommended to monitor it for common cherry tree pathologies , including:
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Moniliosis : fungal disease affecting flowers and fruits, preventable by copper-based treatments (Bordeaux mixture).
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Shot hole : formation of brown spots on the leaves, treatable with suitable fungicides.
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Cylindrosporiosis : a frequent fungal attack on cherry trees, requiring aeration pruning and preventive treatments.
Regarding pests , it is likely that this variety is susceptible to attacks from:
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Black aphids ( Myzus cerasi ), favored by excess nitrogen. Placing glue strips on the trunk and introducing ladybugs can help limit their impact.
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Cherry fruit fly ( Rhagoletis cerasi ), laying its eggs in developing fruit. Installation of pheromone traps and insect netting is recommended.
Tree maintenance and management
To maximize the productivity and health of the Belgian Cherry tree, several cultural practices are recommended:
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Gentle pruning : avoid severe pruning, encourage thinning of branches to improve sunlight and air circulation.
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Regular watering in case of drought , especially for young trees.
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Balanced fertilization , with potassium and phosphorus additions to improve fruiting, and nitrogen control to avoid excess foliage.
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Mulch at the base to maintain moisture and limit weed competition.
Planting is recommended between September and April , with a spacing of approximately 5 meters between trees .
Commercial interest
The Belgian Cherry tree could be interesting for producers looking to diversify their cherry range . Its main advantages are:
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A potential for good taste quality , if its fruits resemble those of European sweet varieties.
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A probable adaptation to temperate and humid climates , which would make it an alternative to varieties sensitive to cryptogamic diseases.
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An interesting harvest period , potentially between June and July , which could supplement the supply of cherries on the market.
Its main drawback lies in the lack of specific data on its agronomic performance , which makes experimentation essential before large-scale adoption .
Outlook for producers
Before integrating the Belgian Cherry tree into professional production, it would be relevant to conduct tests on different growing conditions to verify:
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Its real performance in French conditions .
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Its resistance to diseases and pests .
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Its taste quality and post-harvest conservation .
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Its behavior on different rootstocks .
More in-depth research, particularly with Belgian nurserymen and arboriculture research institutes , would enable us to better understand its strengths and limitations .
Pending more precise information, it might be interesting to evaluate other varieties of sweet cherry trees , particularly those that are disease-resistant and self-fertile , in order to optimize the profitability of a professional orchard.
To summarize: Belgian Cherry
The Belgian Cherry tree represents an interesting opportunity for producers wishing to diversify their cherry range. Its potential in commercial orchards is still to be determined, but it could position itself as a variety adapted to temperate and oceanic climates , with an estimated harvest between June and July .
Its cultivation requires cross-pollination, with compatible varieties such as Burlat, Napoléon, Van or Bigarreau Moreau . A maximum distance of 25 meters between trees is recommended for optimal pollination by insects.
Initial feedback on the variety suggests a yield comparable to other sweet cherries , with a potential production of 30 to 50 kg of fruit per adult tree . However, its response to diseases (brown spot, shot hole, cylindrosporiosis) and pests (black aphids, cherry fruit fly) still requires further observation.
The maintenance of the Belgian Cherry tree is based on classic cultural practices:
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Gentle pruning to encourage fruiting and limit disease.
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Regular watering in case of drought.
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Balanced fertilization , with potassium and phosphorus additions.
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Mulch to retain moisture and limit weed competition.
Its commercial interest lies in its adaptation to humid climates , which could make it an alternative to varieties more susceptible to fungal diseases . However, further research is needed to confirm its performance in real conditions.
Growers looking to try this variety can rely on Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , to obtain plants selected and adapted to their terroir. Buying Belgian cherry plants from an expert allows you to optimize cultivation and maximize the profitability of the orchard.
