Technical sheet of the Montmorency Cherry variety (morello cherry)
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Fruit flesh color: Pink and juicy with clear juice
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Skin Color: Bright red and translucent, beautiful light red color
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Size and shape: Medium size, spherical fruits
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Tree Size: A small tree, the Weeping Montmorency Cherry Tree can reach between 2 and 3 meters in height. The average lifespan is 30 to 50 years.
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Fruit maturity: End of June, beginning of July
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Fruit taste: Tangy and sweet, fine and juicy flesh. Strong flavor, particularly suitable for processing into jams, preserves, and brandy.
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Earliness of the variety: Late
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Fruiting period: July
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Disease resistance and storage: Good disease resistance. Fruits can be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, or frozen.
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Variety Yield: Very productive, excellent yield. The average yield of a cherry tree is 50 to 70 kg or more depending on growing conditions.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, but the presence of other cherry trees can improve the quantity of fruit harvested.
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Commercial use: Preparation of jams, preserves, brandy, desserts and alcoholic beverages. Can be consumed fresh.
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Is this a COV variety? No, it's an old cultivated variety.
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Comments:
- Hardy and withstands temperatures down to -20°C, even -30°C.
- Suitable for all types of well-drained, sunny soils, except those that are too clayey.
- Ideal for small gardens (especially the weeping variety).
- Harvesting is done with the tail on to improve conservation.
Quick read / the essentials on the Montmorency Cherry Tree
The Montmorency Cherry , also known as the Griotte de Montmorency , is an old variety of sour cherry , renowned for its robustness, regular production and adaptation to cold climates . Cultivated in France since the 16th century , it is particularly prized for processing into juices, syrups, jams and alcohols . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers rigorously selected plants to guarantee successful planting and optimal production .
The Montmorency Cherry tree is self-fertile , making it easy to grow without the need for pollinators. It is ideal for farms with limited space and adapts to a wide range of soils , provided they are well-drained . It tolerates calcareous, sandy, and slightly clayey soils , but avoids compact and suffocating soils . Its resistance to temperatures down to -20°C makes it a preferred choice for continental and mid-mountain regions . Buying Montmorency cherry plants from a specialist guarantees healthy growth and regular production .
Montmorency cherries, medium-sized, with bright red skin and tangy cream flesh , ripen in July . Their high acidity makes them ideal for the food industry and distilleries . They offer excellent processing yields and a high concentration of antioxidants , meeting growing demand in international markets . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports producers with tailored technical advice to maximize orchard profitability .
This cherry tree is robust and low-maintenance , but it does require protection against certain diseases and pests such as brown rot, bacterial canker and cherry fruit fly . Annual pruning after harvest, balanced fertilization and organic preventative treatments guarantee a healthy and abundant production . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, recommends the use of suitable rootstocks such as Prunus avium (cherry) to ensure good root development and better disease resistance . Buying Montmorency cherry plants from an expert supplier allows for reliable planting and an optimized harvest .
Presentation of the Montmorency Cherry Tree (Morello Cherry)
The Montmorency cherry tree, also known as Griotte de Montmorency , is an old variety of sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus ) that has been cultivated in France for several centuries. Its origins date back to the Montmorency Valley in the Île-de-France region, where it was already cultivated in the 16th century. Appreciated for the quality of its fruit and its versatility, this variety has established itself as a benchmark for producers of cherries intended for processing.
General characteristics
The Montmorency cherry tree is a medium-vigorous tree that can reach a height of 4 to 5 meters . There is also a more compact weeping form, making harvesting easier. Its drooping shape and abundant flowering make it both productive and attractive.
The medium-sized fruits are recognizable by their bright red skin and creamy, juicy, tangy flesh. They ripen in July and must be harvested at the right time, as they do not continue to ripen after picking. Their high acidity makes them particularly suitable for processing into jams, preserves, juices, and brandies .
Growing conditions
The Montmorency cherry tree is a self-fertile variety, meaning it does not require the presence of another cherry tree to bear fruit. This makes it ideal for farms where space is limited.
It adapts to a wide variety of soils, provided they are well drained . It tolerates calcareous, sandy and even slightly clayey soils, but avoids soils that are too compact and asphyxiating . The ideal exposure is in full sun , which promotes good ripening of the fruits and limits the risk of disease.
This variety is hardy , withstanding temperatures down to -20°C , making it well suited to continental or mid-mountain areas. It is also drought-resistant once well established, but regular watering is necessary for the first year after planting.
Recommended rootstocks
The Montmorency cherry tree is usually grafted onto Prunus avium (cherry), a rootstock commonly used in France to ensure good root development and increased disease resistance. This choice results in a robust and well-rooted tree.
Fruit yield and quality
Fruit production is regular and abundant , with harvesting beginning in July . Montmorency cherries should be harvested with their stems on to optimize their conservation . Although their acidity makes them unsuitable for fresh consumption, they are highly prized for processing.
Their high acidity and richness in antioxidants make them a sought-after variety for the production of juices, syrups, jams and pastries . They are also used in the production of alcohols such as kirsch.
Resistance to diseases and parasites
The Montmorency cherry tree has good disease resistance , but remains susceptible to certain pests and fungi. The main threats include:
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Brown rot , which causes fruit rot.
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Bacterial canker , which affects the bark and weakens the tree.
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Fruit bursting , in case of heavy rains before harvest.
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The cherry fly , whose larvae can damage fruit.
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Black aphids and cankerworms , which can weaken the tree by attacking the foliage.
To limit these risks, preventative treatments using Bordeaux mixture or biological insecticides are recommended. Proper tree maintenance, including post-harvest pruning and removal of infected fruit, also helps reduce disease pressure.
Tree maintenance and management
The Montmorency cherry tree does not require particularly stringent maintenance, but certain practices improve its productivity:
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Annual pruning : after harvesting, remove dead or diseased branches.
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Regular watering : especially the first year, to ensure good rooting.
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Moderate fertilization : a supply of potash promotes fruit set, but excess nitrogen should be avoided so as not to favor foliage to the detriment of flowering.
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Mulching : helps maintain soil moisture and limit competition from weeds.
Commercial interest
Thanks to its cold resistance, regular production and the quality of its fruit , the Montmorency cherry tree is an attractive choice for sour cherry producers. Its self-fertility simplifies orchard management, and its high acidity makes it a choice variety for processing, particularly in the food industry and distilleries.
With growing demand for tart cherry products , especially in the United States where they are very popular, this variety has interesting commercial potential .
Outlook for producers
The Montmorency cherry tree is a viable option for producers looking to diversify their offerings with a hardy, productive and sought-after variety for processing . It may be interesting to compare its yield and production costs with other morello cherry varieties to assess its optimal positioning on the market.
Optimizing cultural practices, particularly in terms of disease management and fertilization , will lead to a profitable and efficient orchard.
To summarize: Montmorency Cherry
The Montmorency Cherry tree is a hardy and productive variety , known for its high-quality acidic fruits , suitable for processing into jams, syrups, juices and brandies . Its self-fertility makes it easy to grow and its adaptability to varied soils makes it accessible to many producers. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, provides certified plants for optimal and profitable production .
This cherry tree can withstand temperatures down to -20°C , making it an ideal choice for cold and mountainous regions . It requires well-drained soil and full sun exposure to ensure optimal fruiting . Choosing the right rootstock , such as Prunus avium (cherry) , helps optimize vigor and fruit set . Buying Montmorency cherry plants from an expert ensures even growth and increased profitability .
Although resistant , this cherry tree must be protected against brown rot, bacterial canker and pests such as cherry fruit fly and aphids . Regular pruning, balanced fertilization and preventative organic treatments are recommended to maintain quality and yield . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports producers with suitable solutions for effective orchard management .
With a July harvest , fruit prized by the food industry and high demand on international markets , the Montmorency Cherry tree is an excellent choice for growers . Buying Montmorency cherry plants from a specialist supplier guarantees reliable production adapted to the demands of the sour cherry market .
