Big Van Scion Cherry Tree Plant Bare Root Conventional

Big Van Cherry Variety Fact Sheet

• Fruit flesh color: Firm, juicy
• Skin color: Dark red to black, shiny
• Size and shape: Large, typical shape of a bigarreau cherry
• Tree size: Vigorous
• Fruit maturity: End of June to beginning of July
• Fruit taste: Sweet and slightly tangy, fragrant
• Earliness of the variety: Average
• Fruiting period: June-July
• Disease resistance and storage: Fairly good disease resistance, short storage (3-5 days in the refrigerator)
• Variety Yield: Very productive, but can be erratic
• Is this variety self-fertile? No, requires cross-pollination
• Commercial use:
  • Fresh consumption
  • Processing (jams, preserves)
• Is this a COV variety? No
• Comments: Native to Canada, requires pollinators (Burlat, Napoleon), hardy (down to -20°C)

Quick read / the essentials on the Big Van Cherry

The Big Van cherry tree is a late-ripening variety prized for its high productivity and large, sweet, and firm cherries . Although it shares similarities with the Bigarreau Van, it has specific characteristics that appeal to growers looking for a harvest between late June and early July. Its adaptability to varied climatic conditions and good tolerance to common diseases make it a strategic choice for apple growers.

As a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry trees , Arboriverse offers selected Big Van cherry trees to ensure consistent, high-quality production. This cherry tree is particularly suited to French regions thanks to its resistance to cold down to -15°C and its good establishment in different types of soil, provided they are well-drained.

Why buy Big Van cherry plants? This variety, although requiring cross-pollination (with varieties like Burlat, Napoléon, or Stella), offers a good yield and excellent taste. Its fruits, with firm and juicy flesh, are highly prized for fresh consumption. However, their shelf life is limited, so it is recommended to market them quickly or to process them (jams, jellies, syrups).

To optimize cultivation, it is advisable to select a suitable rootstock, such as Maxma Delbard 14® or Gisela 6, to promote rapid fruit set and balanced growth . Buying Big Van cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler like Arboriverse ensures optimized and profitable production, with plants rigorously selected to meet the requirements of professional apple growers.

Introducing the Big Van Cherry Tree

The Big Van cherry tree is a productive variety appreciated by apple growers for its large fruit and good resistance to varied climatic conditions. Although specific information on this variety is limited, it has characteristics similar to the Bigarreau Van cherry tree, a Canadian variety introduced in France in 1968.

Origin and Certification

Available sources do not specify the exact origin of the Big Van cherry tree or its breeder. It is not confirmed whether it benefits from a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC). It is recommended to check with the relevant organizations in France for any official certification.

Growing Conditions

The Big Van cherry tree is a hardy tree that adapts to a wide range of soils, although it prefers fertile, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils. It can withstand temperatures down to -15°C, making it suitable for various French regions, including those with harsh winters.

Regarding the choice of rootstock, there are no specific recommendations for this variety. However, the Bigarreau Van cherry tree is often grafted onto MaxMa Delbard 14® , a semi-dwarfing rootstock that facilitates rapid fruit set and good productivity. In France, the rootstocks Ceravium, Maxma 14 and Gisela 6 are commonly used for cherry trees and can be considered for this variety.

Flowering and Pollination

The Big Van cherry tree blooms late, which reduces the risk of frost on the blossoms and promotes good fruit set. However, this variety is not self-fertile and requires the presence of a compatible pollinator variety.

Recommended varieties for cross-pollination include Bigarreau Burlat, Napoléon, Reverchon, Summit, and Stella . Planting a compatible variety nearby, within a radius of 20 to 30 meters, ensures better production and improves fruit quality.

Fruit Production and Quality

Big Van cherries are distinguished by their large size , rounded shape and shiny dark red skin. Their flesh is firm, juicy, sweet and fragrant , making them a popular variety for fresh consumption.

Harvesting takes place between late June and early July , relatively late compared to some other varieties. Yields are high, but can be erratic depending on weather conditions and the quality of pollination. A mature tree can produce several dozen kilos of cherries per year .

Resistance to Diseases and Pests

The Big Van cherry tree is generally resistant to common cherry diseases. It shows good tolerance to brown rot and powdery mildew. However, it can be susceptible to bacterial canker, which requires regular monitoring.

In terms of pests, it can be attacked by aphids, caterpillars, and cherry fruit flies. Preventive control is recommended, particularly with appropriate treatments and the installation of traps to limit infestations.

Conservation and Enhancement

Big Van cherries are popular for fresh consumption, but their shelf life is short . It is recommended to market them quickly after harvest or to process them into jams, jellies or syrups to extend their shelf life.

Tree Maintenance and Management

Caring for the Big Van cherry tree is relatively simple. It requires annual pruning after harvest to stimulate branching and improve fruiting. Watering must be regular, especially during dry periods, to ensure proper fruit development.

Planting is best done in autumn or early spring , in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Staking may be recommended to promote harmonious vertical growth and avoid deformations.

Conclusion

The Big Van cherry tree is a productive variety, well-adapted to the diverse French climatic conditions. It is distinguished by its large, sweet, and firm cherries, although their shelf life is limited. Its need for cross-pollination requires planting other compatible varieties to optimize production.

Further research would help clarify the distinction between the Big Van cherry and the Bigarreau Van cherry , which share many characteristics. For growers, it may be interesting to compare this variety with other late cherry trees in order to better position it on the market and optimize its exploitation.

To summarize: Big Van Cherry

The Big Van cherry tree is distinguished by its generous production and sweet, crisp cherries , ideal for fresh sale. Its late flowering limits the risk of spring frost, thus ensuring better fruit set. This non-self-fertile variety should be associated with compatible pollinators such as Burlat, Summit or Napoleon to maximize yields.

In terms of cultivation, the Big Van cherry tree adapts well to varied climates and prefers fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates negative temperatures down to -15°C, which makes it interesting for various French regions. Its maintenance is simple, requiring regular pruning after harvest and adequate watering in dry periods . Its main asset is its impressive size , with fruits with shiny dark red skin and firm, juicy flesh.

Growers looking for a high-performance variety should purchase Big Van cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler to ensure optimal start and successful operation . Arboriverse , as a partner of professionals, offers certified and rigorously selected plants to ensure superior quality production.

Whether for a new plantation or to diversify an existing production, buying Big Van cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler allows you to benefit from robust plant material, adapted to the requirements of apple growers.