Technical sheet of the Pigeon Heart Cherry variety
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Fruit flesh color: Yellow, firm and crisp.
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Fruit skin color: Light red, shiny, with shades ranging from light red to orange-red when ripe.
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Tree size:
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Scion: 3 to 4 meters in height and width.
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Spindle: 3 to 3.50 meters in height and approximately 4 meters in width.
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Half-stem: 6 to 7 meters in height and width.
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Fruit taste: Sweet and slightly tangy.
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Fruit maturity: Harvested between mid-June and mid-July.
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Fruit storage time: Must be kept in the refrigerator and consumed quickly, between 3 days and a week maximum.
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Pollination: Not self-fertile, requires cross-pollination with compatible varieties such as Burlat, Napoleon, Hedelfingen, or Van.
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Disease resistance: Susceptible to fungal diseases such as brown rot and shot hole.
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Pest resistance: Susceptible to cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi).
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Origin: Known in Anjou, France, since 1540.
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Vigor: Vigorous, semi-erect tree.
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Port: Elegant port with magical flowering.
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Comments:
- Thrives in cool, well-drained soils, enjoying a sunny exposure.
- It is recommended to install a stake for better tree development during the first years.
- An annual addition of compost promotes vigorous growth and abundant fruiting.
Quick read / the essentials on the Pigeon Heart Cherry Tree
The Pigeon Heart Cherry tree is an old and heritage variety , known in France since 1540 , particularly in Anjou . Appreciated for its robustness, its productivity and the quality of its fruits , it produces firm, sweet and slightly acidic cherries , ideal for fresh consumption and processing . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers rigorously selected plants to ensure optimal cultivation and a stable yield .
The Pigeon Heart Cherry tree is self-sterile , requiring pollinators such as Bigarreau Burlat, Napoléon or Van to ensure optimal fruiting. Its early flowering (late March - early April) exposes it to spring frosts , but its harvest from mid-June to mid-July allows it to reach the market at the start of the season. Buying Pigeon Heart cherry plants from a specialist guarantees successful planting and high-quality production .
The heart-shaped cherries, with their crisp yellow flesh , have a good grip in the mouth , although they have a limited shelf life (3 to 5 days after harvest) . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports producers with technical advice and tailored solutions to ensure an optimal harvest and efficient orchard management .
The Pigeon Heart Cherry tree adapts well to temperate climates , with good resistance to cold (-20°C) , but it is susceptible to fungal diseases such as brown rot and shot hole . Careful maintenance including regular pruning and preventative biological treatments is essential to avoid losses. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, recommends suitable rootstocks, such as Sainte-Lucie, MaxMa 14 or Gisela 6 , to ensure good vigor and rapid fruit set . Buying Pigeon Heart Cherry plants from an expert ensures balanced growth and optimized yield .
Introducing the Pigeon Heart Cherry Tree
The Coeur de Pigeon cherry tree is an old variety, known in France since at least 1540, particularly in Anjou. It is part of the French fruit heritage and is distinguished by its medium to large, heart-shaped cherries with firm, crisp flesh. Valued for its hardiness and productivity, it adapts well to French climatic conditions, although it requires cross-pollination to bear fruit.
Origin and general characteristics
The Cœur de Pigeon variety is one of the oldest recorded in France. Its name comes from the characteristic shape of its fruits, reminiscent of a pigeon's heart. Its French origins make it excellently suited to temperate climates, and it is still widely cultivated today, both in family orchards and on commercial farms. Its tree is vigorous and offers generous production, making it an attractive variety for growers looking for a good yield.
Flowering and pollination
The Cœur de Pigeon cherry tree blooms early, usually between late March and early April. This early flowering makes it more susceptible to spring frosts, but it also allows it to be among the first varieties to produce fruit. Since it is not self-fertile, it requires the presence of compatible pollinating varieties, such as Bigarreau Burlat, Napoléon, Hedelfingen, or Van. It is essential to plant these varieties within a radius of 20 to 30 meters to maximize pollination and ensure a good yield.
Fruit maturity and harvest period
Pigeon Heart cherries reach maturity between mid-June and mid-July, depending on weather conditions and the growing region. Harvesting generally takes place about 40 days after full bloom. Careful picking is essential to preserve the quality of the fruit, which should be harvested at full maturity for best preservation.
Performance and productivity
This variety is renowned for its high productivity. A well-maintained mature tree can produce several dozen kilos of cherries per year. However, like many other old varieties, it can exhibit a certain alternation of production, with some years more abundant than others. Optimized cultural management, including appropriate pruning and balanced fertilization, can limit this variability and ensure more consistent production.
Fruit quality and conservation
The fruits of the Coeur de Pigeon cherry tree are distinguished by their heart shape and firm, slightly tart yellow flesh. This crisp texture and sweet, slightly acidic flavor make them popular for fresh consumption. They are also used for processing, particularly in jams, clafoutis, and preserves. Their shelf life is relatively short: they can be kept for three days at room temperature and up to five days in the refrigerator.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
The Cœur de Pigeon cherry tree is considered a hardy variety, but it remains susceptible to certain fungal diseases, including brown rot and shot hole. Brown rot, which causes the flowers and branches to dry out and cankers to form, can be controlled by preventive treatments using Bordeaux mixture. Shot hole, which causes brownish spots on the leaves and lesions on the branches, requires thinning to improve the tree's ventilation and limit stagnant moisture.
Regarding pests, the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) is one of the main enemies of this variety. It lays its eggs in the fruit, and the larvae develop inside, making the cherries unfit for consumption. Pheromone traps and insect nets can be used to limit infestations.
Adaptation to growing conditions
The Pigeon Heart cherry tree adapts well to various soil types, provided they are well-drained. It prefers fertile, moist soils, but can also tolerate slightly calcareous soils. Planting on a mound or using suitable rootstocks can improve drainage and prevent root asphyxiation, which can hinder root development.
It can withstand winter temperatures down to -20°C, making it a hardy variety. However, its early flowering exposes it to late frosts, which can impact its production in some years.
Drought sensitivity and water management
The Pigeon Heart cherry tree is relatively drought tolerant once well established, but it benefits from regular watering, especially during the first years of growth and during the fruit formation period. Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain soil moisture and limit evaporation.
Choosing the rootstock
The choice of rootstock influences the tree's vigor and longevity, as well as its adaptation to different soil conditions. For the Pigeon Heart cherry tree, the following rootstocks are recommended:
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Saint Lucia (Prunus mahaleb) : This rootstock is commonly used for cherry trees, particularly in calcareous and dry soils. It provides good vigor and excellent resistance to harsh climatic conditions.
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MaxMa 14 : It is a cross between wild cherry and Sainte-Lucie. It is semi-dwarfing, which allows for good productivity with a more manageable tree height.
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Gisela 6 : A medium-vigorous rootstock, it reduces the size of the tree and accelerates fruit set. It is particularly suitable for high-density orchards.
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Ceravium : It offers good compatibility with cherry varieties and allows for moderate growth with rapid fruit set.
The choice of rootstock must be made according to the soil and production objectives, taking into account the desired vigor and pruning and maintenance constraints.
Maintenance and cultural management
Regular pruning is essential to ensure stable production and limit the occurrence of diseases. Formative pruning in the early years helps structure the tree, while fruiting pruning after harvest promotes light penetration and air circulation.
Fertilizers, particularly potash and magnesium, help improve fruit quality and tree vigor. Organic manure in the spring nourishes the soil and optimizes growth.
Profitability and business prospects
The Coeur de Pigeon cherry tree is an attractive variety for the French market due to its local origin and the quality of its fruit. Its distinctive taste and firmness make it a popular cherry both fresh and processed. However, its manual harvest and relatively short shelf life require well-organized logistics to avoid post-harvest losses.
Producers can capitalize on this variety by targeting local markets, short supply chains and direct sales, where consumers are looking for traditional and tasty varieties.
Conclusion
The Coeur de Pigeon cherry tree is an old and robust variety, well adapted to French climatic conditions. Its heart-shaped fruit, firm flesh, and slightly tart taste make it a quality choice for fresh consumption and processing. Its dependence on cross-pollination and susceptibility to certain diseases require careful cultural management, but its productivity and hardiness make it a profitable variety for fruit growers. A judicious choice of rootstock and pollinating varieties, as well as rigorous monitoring of diseases and pests, will optimize the production and profitability of this emblematic variety of French fruit heritage.
To summarize: Pigeon Heart Cherry
The Cœur de Pigeon Cherry tree is an old and rustic variety, producing firm, crisp and slightly tart cherries , ideal for fresh consumption and processing . It is self-sterile and must be grown with pollinators such as Bigarreau Burlat, Napoléon or Van to ensure a good harvest. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, provides quality plants, adapted to the requirements of producers.
This cherry tree prefers fertile, well-drained soils , with good tolerance to slightly chalky soils . Its maintenance requires regular pruning and controlled watering , especially during the flowering and fruit formation periods. Choosing the right rootstock , such as Sainte-Lucie, MaxMa 14 or Gisela 6 , improves growth and fruit set . Buying Coeur de Pigeon cherry plants from an expert supplier guarantees uniform growth and profitable production .
The Pigeon Heart Cherry tree is resistant, but subject to certain diseases such as brown rot and shot hole , requiring maintenance pruning and preventative biological treatments . The cherry fruit fly can also affect crops, which requires monitoring and appropriate control methods . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports apple growers with solutions adapted to the management of diseases and pests .
With a harvest from mid-June to mid-July , good taste quality and a high yield , the Cœur de Pigeon cherry tree represents an interesting investment for French producers . Buying Cœur de Pigeon cherry plants from a specialist provides access to reliable and profitable production, meeting the requirements of the traditional cherry market .
