Summit Cherry Variety Fact Sheet
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Fruit flesh color: Dark red
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Skin color: Bright red
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Size and shape: Large, heart-shaped
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Tree size: Semi-dwarf, reaching 4 to 6 meters
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Fruit maturity: Mid-season, end of June
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Fruit taste: Sweet and juicy, slightly tangy
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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, it requires a pollinator (Bigarreau Bigalise, Cœur de Pigeon, Napoléon, Sunburst or Van).
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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 and Maxma 14 are compatible.
Quick read / the essentials on the Cerisier Summit
The Summit Cherry is a late-ripening bigarreau variety, highly prized by growers for its high yield, large size and exceptional taste . Originally from Canada and introduced in 1973, it produces cherries of an imposing size (minimum 28 mm), with firm, juicy and sweet flesh . Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, offers this variety to apple growers wishing to optimize their production with a profitable variety adapted to market requirements.
Summit is self-fertile , meaning it can produce fruit without any other pollinator. However, cross-pollination with varieties such as Napoleon, Van, or Burlat improves its yield and fruit size. Buying Summit cherry plants from a specialist provides access to the best selections to ensure a bountiful harvest.
In terms of cultivation, the Summit Cherry tree adapts well to well-drained, slightly moist soils , and even tolerates poor soils provided they are well aerated. Its resistance to drought is good, but regular watering during the fruiting period is recommended to guarantee optimal quality of the cherries. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, helps producers choose the most suitable rootstocks, such as Ceravium, Maxma 14 or Prunus mahaleb , which influence vigor and productivity.
In terms of health, the Summit Cherry tree is resistant to brown rot and gummosis , although black aphids can affect young shoots. Biological protection with ladybugs or black soap is recommended to limit their impact. Buying Summit Cherry plants from a specialist supplier guarantees a successful crop and a high-quality harvest.
Presentation of the Cherry Summit for Apple Growers and Cherry Producers in France
The Summit Cherry is a variety of bigarreau originally from Canada , introduced in 1973. It is renowned for its vigor , high productivity , large size and exceptional taste . This cherry tree is particularly appreciated by producers thanks to its June harvest , its good conservation and its ability to adapt to different growing conditions .
Characteristics of Fruits
Summit cherries are large , with an average size of at least 28 mm, meeting the Label Rouge requirements for premium cherries. Their heart shape , glossy dark red skin and pale, firm, sweet flesh make them popular for fresh consumption and for making desserts. They are juicy, fragrant and have a good balance of sugar and acidity , giving them a particularly pleasant flavor.
Flowering and Pollination
The Summit Cherry blossoms between late March and early April , with an abundant display of white flowers that are attractive to pollinators. It is self-fertile , meaning it can produce fruit without the need for another pollinating variety. However, cross-pollination with compatible varieties such as Napoleon, Van, Burlat, Hedelfingen, or Kordia improves yield and quality.
Growing Conditions
The Summit Cherry tree adapts well to well-drained, slightly moist soils , but it is important to avoid soils that are too clayey or calcareous , which can lead to chlorosis problems. It is drought-resistant , but regular watering during the fruiting period is recommended to maximize the quality of the cherries. This cherry tree is also tolerant of poor soils , provided they are well aerated to avoid root asphyxiation .
Resistance to Diseases and Parasites
The Summit Cherry tree is relatively resistant to diseases , including brown rot and gummosis , two common cherry tree diseases. However, monitoring is necessary to prevent their occurrence by applying preventative treatments such as Bordeaux mixture in early spring.
It is slightly susceptible to black aphids , which can invade young shoots in spring. To limit their impact, biological methods such as the introduction of ladybugs or the use of black soap are effective.
Recommended Rootstocks
The choice of rootstock influences the vigor, productivity, and adaptability of the cherry tree to local conditions. Several rootstocks are recommended for the Summit Cherry tree in France:
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Ceravium , derived from the wild cherry and morello cherry, offers high compatibility with all varieties of cherry trees and promotes rapid fruit set.
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Maxma 14 , a hybrid of wild cherry and St. Lucia, ideal for good productivity and semi-dwarfing growth.
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MaxMa Delbard 14® , a semi-dwarfing rootstock that limits the height of the tree and facilitates harvesting while ensuring good root anchorage.
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Prunus mahaleb , suitable for calcareous and dry soils, although it may slightly reduce the vigor of the tree.
Harvest and Profitability
The Summit Cherry is a late variety , with harvest in June , about 40 days after full bloom . This period is strategic for producers, as it allows them to reach the market after the early varieties, when prices are still attractive.
Its productivity is high , with an average yield per tree reaching 50 to 70 kg depending on growing conditions. The quality of the cherries and their imposing size make it a very profitable variety, particularly for demanding markets and distribution under the Red Label .
Orchard Maintenance and Management
To ensure optimal production, several cultural practices are recommended:
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Regular pruning , favoring maintenance pruning to aerate the branches and facilitate the penetration of light.
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Balanced fertilizer application in early spring to support flowering and fruiting.
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Moderate watering , particularly during periods of drought, to avoid water stress.
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Protection against pests , with natural treatments against aphids and cherry fruit fly.
Thanks to its natural vigor , the Summit Cherry tree does not require any special staking and adapts well to different orchard training methods.
Conclusion
The Summit Cherry is an excellent choice for growers looking for a late, productive, large-sized variety. Its taste quality , good disease resistance , and ability to meet the requirements of the Label Rouge make it a highly valued variety on the market.
Thanks to its self-fertility , it is easy to grow and offers a regular production . However, careful orchard management , including cross-pollination and pest monitoring, can further optimize its yield and profitability.
To summarize: Summit Cherry
The Summit Cherry is a large-sized cherry (minimum 28 mm) , appreciated for its exceptional taste quality and its late harvest in June . Its self-fertility makes it easy to grow, although the addition of pollinators such as Napoleon, Van or Burlat can improve yield. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, provides apple growers with high-quality plants to ensure reliable and profitable production.
Summit prefers well-drained, slightly moist soils , but avoids soils that are too clayey or chalky. A good choice of rootstock is essential to maximize its development: Ceravium, Maxma 14 or Prunus mahaleb are particularly recommended. Buying Summit cherry plants from an expert allows you to access the best varieties for successful planting.
Its disease resistance is good , particularly against brown rot and gummosis , but it can be susceptible to black aphids , requiring natural preventative treatments. Regular pruning , a balanced supply of fertilizer in spring and efficient irrigation management are necessary to guarantee optimal yield. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants, supports producers with technical advice and solutions adapted to their needs.
With a production of up to 50 to 70 kg per tree , the Summit Cherry offers high profitability , particularly thanks to its impressive size and its ability to meet the requirements of the Label Rouge . Buying Summit Cherry plants from a specialist supplier helps to maximize the performance of the orchard and guarantees superior quality production.
