Technical sheet of the Belle d'Orléans (Guigne) Cherry variety
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Fruit flesh color: Red
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Skin color: Red
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Size and shape: Small, round
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Tree size: Very vigorous
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Fruit maturity: Late
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Fruit flavor: Ideal for clafoutis
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Earliness of the variety: Late
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Disease resistance and storage: Cold hardy, medium storage
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Is this variety self-fertile? Probably needs pollinator
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Commercial use: Clafoutis and desserts
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Comments: Adapts to all soil types, late flowering and harvest, available rootstock: Prunus mahaleb
Quick read / the essentials on the Belle d'Orléans Cherry Tree (Guigne)
The Belle d'Orléans cherry tree is an old variety of guigne , renowned for its late flowering and its ability to withstand cold climates . Its semi-erect shape and significant vigor make it a tree requiring suitable pruning , but also an excellent choice for mid-mountain regions. It produces small, sweet, juicy red fruits , perfect for fresh consumption and traditional pastries , especially clafoutis .
As a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , Arboriverse offers carefully selected Belle d'Orléans cherry plants , guaranteeing vigorous growth and consistent production . This variety adapts well to well-drained soils , but avoids excessively clayey soils , which can cause root asphyxiation .
Why buy Belle d'Orléans cherry plants? Its late harvest in July , its hardiness and its excellent adaptation to humid and mountainous climates make it a strategic choice for professional producers . Its sweet and slightly acidic flavor makes it a popular variety for jams, preserves and pastries . However, this variety is self-sterile , so it is essential to pollinate it with compatible varieties such as Précoce de la Marche, Guigne d'Annonay or Bigarreau Elton .
Thanks to its interesting commercial potential , buying Belle d'Orléans cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler like Arboriverse guarantees optimized exploitation and a high-performance orchard , with plants selected for their quality and resistance .
Presentation of the Belle d'Orléans Cherry Tree (Guigne)
The Belle d'Orléans cherry tree is an old variety of guigne , native to France , known for its late flowering and its ability to adapt to cold climates and mid-mountain regions . Very vigorous, it produces small, sweet and juicy red fruits , perfect for fresh consumption and baking, especially clafoutis .
Origin and Certification
La Belle d'Orléans is an old variety not protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) , which allows its cultivation and propagation freely. It has been cultivated for several centuries in France and remains a reference among late guignes.
Tree Characteristics and Growing Conditions
This cherry tree is of strong vigor , with a semi-erect habit that may require pruning to facilitate harvesting. It is known for its good adaptation to cool and humid climates , which makes it an interesting variety for medium altitude regions.
It adapts to all types of well-drained soils , but it does not tolerate very clayey soils well, which can cause root asphyxiation in the event of excess water.
Rootstocks recommended in France for this variety include:
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Prunus mahaleb : Recommended for its tolerance of dry, chalky soils.
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Cherry (Prunus avium) : Offers great vigor and increased longevity.
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Maxma 14 : Semi-dwarfing, it promotes regular production while reducing the size of the tree.
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Gisela 6 : Ideal for high density orchards thanks to its dwarfing effect and rapid fruit set.
Flowering and Pollination
The Belle d'Orléans flowers late , which allows it to escape spring frosts , a major asset for areas with harsh winters.
This variety is self-sterile , meaning it requires cross-pollination to fruit properly. Recommended pollinating varieties include:
- Early March
- Annonay Guigne
- Bigarreau Elton
Planting these varieties close together ensures better fruit set and a more abundant harvest .
Fruit Production and Quality
The fruits of the Belle d'Orléans are small , round, with bright red skin and sweet, slightly acidic flesh.
They are mainly used for:
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Fresh consumption , thanks to their pleasant and juicy taste.
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Traditional pastries , including clafoutis and cherry tarts .
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Processing into jams and preserves , to enjoy cherries all year round.
Harvesting takes place late , usually in July , and the cherries must be picked when fully ripe to ensure their full flavor.
Disease Resistance and Sensitivity to Climatic Factors
The Belle d'Orléans cherry tree is hardy and cold-resistant , making it a variety well-suited to cool, mountainous regions . However, it is susceptible to certain environmental factors and diseases:
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Brown rot : Causes flowers and fruit to dry out. Proper pruning of the tree and preventive copper treatments can limit this disease.
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Cylindrosporiosis : A fungus that affects foliage, favored by humid climates. Removal of infected leaves and biological sprays may be necessary.
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Black aphids : They weaken the tree by sucking the sap. Introducing ladybugs and lacewings can be a natural solution to control them.
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Cherry fruit fly : It lays its eggs in fruit, causing it to rot. Pheromone traps and insect nets can help limit infestations.
Regarding adaptation to climate and soil:
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Limestone tolerance : Medium. Too much limestone can cause iron chlorosis, affecting growth.
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Drought sensitivity : Moderate. Regular watering is recommended, especially in summer.
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Susceptibility to root asphyxiation : High. It is imperative to plant this cherry tree in well-drained soil to avoid overwatering.
Tree Management and Maintenance
Careful tree management helps optimize its production and longevity. Here are the main cultural practices to adopt:
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Pruning after harvest : Promotes air circulation and limits the development of diseases.
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Regular watering during periods of drought , particularly in the first years after planting.
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Fertilize with an organic fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus to support flowering and fruiting.
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Mulch at the base of the tree to retain moisture and limit competition from weeds.
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Disease and pest monitoring , with biological treatments if necessary.
Conclusion
The Belle d'Orléans Cherry Tree is an old-growth variety , appreciated for its hardiness and late flowering , which make it ideal for cold climates and medium-altitude areas . It offers a good production of small, sweet red fruits , perfect for fresh consumption and processing.
Although it is vigorous and cold-resistant , it requires well-drained soil to avoid root asphyxiation and cross-pollination with other compatible cherry trees. Its sensitivity to fungal diseases and pests requires regular monitoring and preventative treatments.
Next Step
To optimize the cultivation of the Belle d'Orléans cherry tree , it would be interesting to carry out a comparative study of yield with different rootstocks , in order to determine which is best suited to production conditions in France.
In addition, monitoring performance based on biological protection techniques against diseases and parasites would make it possible to maximize harvests while limiting the use of chemical treatments.
To summarize: Cherry tree Belle d'Orléans (Guigne)
The Belle d'Orléans cherry tree is an old and rustic variety , ideal for cold regions and moderate altitudes thanks to its late flowering , which avoids spring frosts . It produces sweet red cherries , used both fresh and in processing , particularly in clafoutis, jams and preserves .
This cherry tree adapts to well-drained and slightly calcareous soils , but requires a good rootstock such as Merisier, Sainte-Lucie or Maxma 14 , to ensure optimal growth and rapid fruiting . However, it is susceptible to fungal diseases such as brown rot and cylindrosporiosis , as well as black aphids and cherry fruit fly , requiring monitoring and biological treatments .
Cross-pollination is essential for good fruit production. Compatible varieties include Précoce de la Marche, Guigne d'Annonay and Bigarreau Elton . Maintenance includes annual pruning after harvest , watering in dry periods and mulching to retain moisture .
To ensure a productive and profitable orchard , it is essential to source quality plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler . Arboriverse , thanks to its expertise and rigorous selection, provides certified Belle d'Orléans cherry plants , guaranteeing stable production and optimal yield .
Whether for a new plantation or to strengthen an existing orchard , buying Belle d'Orléans cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler is a guarantee of quality and profitability for producers.
