Technical sheet of the Moreau Cherry variety
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Fruit flesh color: Dark red
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Skin color: Dark red to almost black
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Size and shape: Large, heart-shaped
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Tree size: Semi-dwarf, reaching 5 to 7 meters
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Fruit maturity: Mid-season, end of June
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Fruit taste: Sweet and juicy
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Earliness of the variety: Mid-season
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Fruiting period: Late June to early July
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Disease resistance and storage: Good resistance to brown rot, average storage
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Variety yield: Very productive
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Is this variety self-fertile? No, requires a pollinator.
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Commercial use: Fresh consumption, preserves
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Is this a COV variety? No
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Comments: Requires a pollinator for good production. Ceravium, Maxma 14 and Gisela 6 are compatible.
Quick read / the essentials on the Moreau Cherry tree
The Moreau Cherry tree , also called Bigarreau Moreau , is an old variety highly valued for its precocity, high productivity and the taste quality of its fruits. It is particularly prized by French producers for its early harvest from late May to mid-June , a period when demand is high and prices are attractive. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports apple growers by offering plants selected for their vigor and their ability to produce quickly.
Moreau cherries are large , with dark red skin when ripe and firm, sweet, and juicy flesh . Their texture and flavor make them ideal for fresh consumption , but also for making jams and desserts . However, like most cherries, they are self-sterile and require a pollinator, such as the Bigarreau Napoléon , to ensure optimal fruiting. Buying Moreau cherry plants from an expert supplier ensures careful variety selection and successful planting.
The Moreau Cherry tree adapts well to rich, fresh soils , but it can be sensitive to calcareous soils , which can cause chlorosis problems. Proper management, including organic matter additions and regular irrigation during dry periods, is essential to optimize production. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, advises growers on the choice of suitable rootstocks, such as Ceravium, Maxma 14 or Prunus mahaleb , to ensure good anchoring and rapid fruit set.
Although resistant to fungal diseases such as brown rot and powdery mildew , the Moreau cherry tree can be affected by aphids and cherry fruit fly , requiring monitoring and preventative treatments. It can also be subject to gummosis , which requires careful maintenance, including post-harvest pruning to limit infections. Buying Moreau cherry plants from a specialist ensures a successful crop and a quality harvest.
Presentation of the Moreau Cherry Tree for Apple Growers and Cherry Producers in France
The Moreau Cherry tree , also known as Bigarreau Moreau , is an old variety renowned for its precocity , high productivity and the taste quality of its fruits. Adapted to French climatic conditions, it is particularly prized for commercial cultivation thanks to its early harvest and abundant production.
Characteristics of Fruits
Moreau cherries are large in size , with a dark red skin when ripe . Their flesh is firm, juicy and sweet , offering an excellent taste quality appreciated by consumers. These characteristics make them an ideal cherry for fresh consumption , but also for processing into jams and desserts .
Flowering and Pollination
The Moreau Cherry tree blooms between late March and early April , marking an early start to the season. However, it is self-sterile , meaning it requires a pollinating variety to fruit effectively. Recommended varieties for good pollination include the Bigarreau Napoléon .
Growing Conditions
This cherry tree is suitable for well-drained soils , with a preference for rich, fresh soils . However, it can be sensitive to highly calcareous soils , which can cause chlorosis due to poor iron assimilation. To avoid this problem, it is advisable to provide acidic organic matter and to use antichlorosis solutions based on iron chelates .
Its resistance to summer drought is not optimal, which implies regular watering during hot periods, especially for young plants. On the other hand, it is well adapted to cold climates and can withstand negative temperatures in winter , although it is recommended to plant it in a place sheltered from the wind to avoid damage from late frosts.
Resistance to Diseases and Parasites
The Moreau cherry tree is relatively resistant to fungal diseases , particularly brown rot and powdery mildew . However, it is susceptible to certain pests such as the cherry fruit fly and aphids , which can harm the quality of the fruit and the development of the tree. Regular monitoring and preventive treatments, such as the installation of pheromone traps or the use of natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings), can limit these pests.
It can also be prone to gummosis , a common condition in cherry trees that manifests as sap flow. Careful pruning and removal of affected parts helps reduce this risk.
Recommended Rootstocks
The choice of rootstock is essential to ensure optimal tree development and good production. In France, several rootstocks are recommended for the Moreau cherry tree:
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Ceravium , a hybrid of wild cherry and morello cherry, compatible with most cherry trees and offering good vigor and rapid fruit set.
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Maxma 14 , derived from cherry and Saint Lucia, which promotes good productivity and semi-dwarfing growth.
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Prunus mahaleb , which is particularly suitable for calcareous and dry soils, but which can slightly limit the vigor of the tree.
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MaxMa Delbard 14® , a semi-dwarfing rootstock valued for its ability to moderate tree growth while facilitating harvesting.
Harvest and Profitability
The Moreau Cherry tree is an early variety , with a harvest starting at the end of May and lasting until mid-June . This precocity is a major advantage for producers, as it allows them to market the cherries at the beginning of the season , a period when prices are often higher.
Its productivity is high , although sometimes irregular , which requires careful management of the orchard to maintain a good yield from one year to the next. The tree adopts a semi-erect habit and reaches a height of 5 to 6 meters and a width of 4 to 5 meters at maturity.
Orchard Maintenance and Management
The Moreau Cherry tree requires regular maintenance to ensure good fruiting and prevent disease. Annual pruning after harvest is recommended, removing dead branches and thinning out the foliage to promote air circulation and limit the risk of fungal diseases.
Installing a drip irrigation system can be beneficial in maintaining sufficient soil moisture in summer, while avoiding excess water that can cause root asphyxiation .
Balanced fertilization, providing essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium), also helps to optimize fruit production.
Conclusion
The Moreau Cherry is an early variety of Bigarreau , appreciated by growers for its large fruit size, sweet flesh and high productivity . Its precocity makes it a profitable option for farms wishing to market cherries from late spring.
Although it requires a compatible pollinator to ensure good fruiting, it offers very good yields when well maintained. Its adaptability to cool climates , its good disease resistance and its interesting commercial potential make it a safe bet for growers looking for an early and high-performing variety.
To summarize: Moreau Cherry
The Moreau Cherry is an early variety of Bigarreau , sought after for its harvest from late May to mid-June , its large fruit size and its excellent taste quality . Suitable for commercial orchards, it offers high productivity when well maintained. However, being self-sterile , it requires the presence of a pollinator such as Bigarreau Napoléon to guarantee good fruiting. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers high quality plants to ensure regular and profitable production.
Moreau thrives in rich, well-drained soils , but can suffer in calcareous soils , requiring iron and organic matter to prevent chlorosis. It does not tolerate drought well , which requires regular watering in summer . The choice of rootstock is a key element in ensuring its longevity and vigor: Ceravium, Maxma 14 or Prunus mahaleb are among the most suitable. Buying Moreau cherry plants from an expert guarantees a profitable investment and a successful planting.
In terms of protection, the Moreau is highly resistant to fungal diseases , but can be affected by cherry fruit fly, aphids and gummosis . Annual pruning , combined with preventive pest management , helps maintain healthy and abundant production. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports apple growers by providing them with technical advice and robust plants to ensure a successful orchard .
With its early harvest and high commercial value at the start of the season , the Moreau cherry tree represents an excellent economic opportunity for producers wishing to position themselves on the market for the first cherries of the year. Purchasing Moreau cherry plants from a specialist supplier guarantees optimized production and exceptional fruit quality.
