Early Rivers Cherry Variety Fact Sheet (Guigne)
-
Fruit flesh color: Tender, even soft, tasty and sweet, light red
-
Skin color: Dark red or almost black when ripe
-
Size and Shape: Average Size
-
Tree size: 4 to 5 m high and a span of approximately 3.50 m
-
Fruit maturity: End of May to beginning of June
-
Fruit taste: Sweet and mild flavor, comparable to that of bigarreau cherries
-
Earliness of the variety: Early
-
Fruiting period: End of May and beginning of June
-
Disease resistance and storage: Good disease resistance, fresh and tasty fruit for a relatively short period
-
Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, but it fruits better if planted near a Bigarreau variety.
-
Commercial use: Fresh consumption, jams, clafoutis
-
Comments:
- Perfectly rustic
- Withstands harsh winters but suffers from the hottest summers
- Needs light soil and exposed to heat
- Very good pollinator
- Longevity of 20 to 30 years, or even more with good care
Quick read / the essentials on the Early Rivers Cherry tree
The Early Rivers Cherry tree , an old variety of the guigne type , is particularly appreciated for its precocity, its sweetness and its productivity . Its flowering in mid-April and its harvest from the end of May to the beginning of June give it a strategic advantage on the early cherry market . Its vigorous tree, with a semi-weeping habit , can reach 4 to 5 meters in height and adapts well to French climatic conditions . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers rigorously selected plants to guarantee successful establishment and optimal production .
The Early Rivers Cherry tree is self-sterile , requiring pollinators such as Bigarreau Burlat or Guigne Noire de Ruesnes to ensure good fruiting. It is recommended to graft it onto suitable rootstocks such as Prunus avium (Franc) for rich, deep soils or Colt for lighter soils . Buying Early Rivers cherry plants from a specialist guarantees efficient cultivation and optimized yield .
The medium to large, round cherries with light red, juicy flesh offer a mild, sweet and fragrant taste , perfect for fresh consumption and processing . Their good resistance to bursting makes them a safe choice for producers. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports arboriculturists with solutions adapted to the optimization of yield and fruit quality .
The Early Rivers Cherry tree is hardy and tolerant of harsh winters , but requires well-drained, light to medium-calcareous soil . It does not tolerate heavy, suffocating soils . Annual pruning after harvest, regular watering and balanced fertilization guarantee regular and abundant production . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, recommends structured maintenance and protection against black aphids, cherry fruit fly and fungal diseases . Buying Early Rivers cherry plants from a specialist supplier allows for reliable and profitable production .
Presentation of the Early Rivers Cherry (Guigne)
The Early Rivers cherry tree is an old-growth variety of the guinea pig type, prized for its early ripening and flavor. Selected by horticulturists, this variety has no specific wild geographic origin, but it has established itself as a benchmark for growers looking for a sweet and hardy cherry.
General characteristics
Early Rivers is a vigorous tree with a semi-weeping habit, capable of reaching a height of 4 to 5 meters and a spread of approximately 3.50 meters . Its flowering generally occurs in mid-April , with fruit ripening between the end of May and the beginning of June . This precocity allows it to arrive on the market before many other varieties, offering a strategic advantage to producers.
The fruits are medium to fairly large in size, with light red, juicy and sweet flesh. Their shape is round and their flavor is described as sweet, tender and fragrant , ideal for fresh consumption, jams or even clafoutis.
Growing conditions
The Early Rivers cherry tree is a hardy variety, withstanding harsh winters well. It is also drought-resistant , but regular watering is necessary, especially during the first two years after planting. It can be grown on light to medium-calcareous soils, but it does not tolerate heavy, suffocating soils , especially those with a high clay content.
To ensure good production, it is recommended to graft this tree onto suitable rootstocks:
-
Prunus avium (Franc) : for vigorous trees in rich, deep soils.
-
Colt : Best suited to light, sandy or clayey soils.
Pollination and yield
Early Rivers is self-sterile , meaning it requires the presence of another cherry tree to fruit properly. The most suitable varieties for cross-pollination are Burlat and Guigne Noire de Ruesnes . Although its precise yield is not specified, it is known for its good productivity when well pollinated.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
Early Rivers has good resistance to fruit splitting , which protects it from weather-related losses. However, it can be susceptible to certain diseases and pests, including:
-
Moniliosis (fruit rot)
-
Shot hole (brownish spots on leaves)
- Black aphid
- Cherry fruit fly
To limit these risks, preventive treatments are recommended, including the application of Bordeaux mixture in spring and the use of biological solutions against insects.
Tree maintenance and management
Caring for the Early Rivers cherry tree is relatively simple, but a few steps are essential to maximize production:
-
Annual pruning : after harvesting, remove unsightly branches and in winter, remove dead wood.
-
Regular watering : especially during the first year.
-
Reasonable fertilization : an initial fertilizer application is recommended at planting, followed by a moderate amendment (potash, ash). Excess nitrogen should be avoided to avoid promoting vegetative development to the detriment of fruiting.
Commercial interest
Thanks to its precocity, the Early Rivers cherry tree allows producers to access the market at the beginning of the season , a period when prices are often higher. Its fruits, appreciated for their taste quality, are suitable both for fresh sale and for processing (jams, desserts).
Outlook for producers
This variety offers a good compromise between earliness, fruit quality and hardiness . However, to optimize its profitability, it is recommended to evaluate the planting costs, the potential yield and the commercial outlets. A comparative study with other early varieties could help to identify the best choices according to the pedoclimatic contexts and market requirements.
To summarize: Early Rivers Cherry
The Early Rivers Cherry tree is an early and productive variety , offering sweet and fragrant cherries from late May - early June . Its precocity allows producers to access the market at the beginning of the season , where prices are more advantageous . However, being self-sterile , it requires pollinators such as Bigarreau Burlat or Guigne Noire de Ruesnes to ensure good fruiting. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers certified plants to guarantee a stable and efficient harvest .
This cherry tree adapts well to temperate climates , but requires well-drained, light soil to avoid root asphyxiation. Choosing the right rootstock , such as Prunus avium (Franc) or Colt , helps optimize vigor and fruit set . Buying Early Rivers cherry plants from an expert ensures even growth and increased profitability .
Although resistant to splitting , it can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as brown rot and shot hole , as well as pests such as aphids and cherry fruit fly . Proper pruning, preventative biological treatments and rigorous cultural management help to optimize the quality of the harvest. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports apple growers with technical advice and tailored solutions .
With an early harvest , appreciated taste quality and good profitability in short circuits and on the fresh market , the Early Rivers Cherry tree is a strategic choice for producers . Buying Early Rivers cherry plants from an expert supplier guarantees efficient production adapted to market requirements .
