The Montmorency cherry tree is considered the gold standard for sour tart cherries, producing medium-sized fruit with bright red skin and firm, tangy flesh. Ideal for baking, juicing, and making preserves, this versatile variety is a favorite among home gardeners and orchardists alike. Self-fruitful, vigorous, and extremely hardy, the Montmorency cherry tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil—especially in colder climates. In early spring, it blooms with clusters of white flowers, adding ornamental beauty before setting a heavy crop. The typical Montmorency cherry tree height reaches about 15 to 20 feet at maturity, , and the Montmorency cherry tree size makes it well-suited for both backyard gardens and small orchards. If you’re looking for a reliable, productive variety, explore our Montmorency cherry tree for sale and grow your own delicious tart cherries at home.
Standard on Mahaleb rootstock.
- Zones: 4-9
- Chill hours: 500
- Bloom Time: Very Late (Based on typical Central Valley California weather)
- Harvest: May 25 – June 20
- Looks: Large, light red skinned fruit with yellow flesh.
- Personality: Sour cherry, perfect for cobblers, pies.
- Facts of note: America’s 1 planted sour cherry and the filling for most of the famous pies of Michigan and Wisconsin. The Montmorency Cherry with its large bright red fruit and yellow, almost clear, sour flesh has been popular in the United Stated since it was introduced in 1760. Tracing its name to the Montmorency Valley in France from around 1600’s. Montmorency is popular for pies and desserts because it stays firm in processing. Also noted for the clear juice it produces which is rich tart and tangy. Extremely hardy down to -40.
- Pollination: Self-fruitful.
Why Choose the Montmorency Cherry Tree?
The Montmorency cherry tree is the most popular sour cherry variety, known for its bountiful harvest of bright red cherries with a tangy flavor perfect for pies, preserves, and other delicious treats. This hardy tree thrives in well-drained soil and is self-fertile, offering ornamental beauty with its spreading canopy and delicate white blossoms in early spring. With excellent cold hardiness and a growing season that spans from late spring to early summer, the Montmorency cherry tree ensures a reliable, fully ripe harvest by late June to early July, making it an ideal choice for USDA hardiness zones 4-9 and backyard gardens seeking a healthy, productive tree.
Montmorency Cherry Tree Growing Conditions
For the best results when planting and caring for your Montmorency cherry tree, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball and choose a sunny location with well-drained soil to ensure a healthy tree that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. To encourage a bountiful harvest of bright red cherries with a tangy flavor, prune the tree regularly to maintain its spreading canopy and avoid issues like brown rot or bacterial canker. Since the Montmorency cherry is self-fertile, it requires minimal pollination assistance, making it ideal for backyard gardens, and its cold hardiness ensures fruit will ripen by late June or early July, perfect for making pies and preserves.
Planting and Care Tips for the Montmorency Cherry Tree
For the best results when planting and caring for your Montmorency cherry tree, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil to ensure a healthy tree that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. To encourage a bountiful harvest of bright red cherries with a tangy flavor, prune the tree regularly to maintain its spreading canopy and avoid issues like brown rot or bacterial canker. Since the Montmorency cherry is self-fertile, it requires minimal pollination assistance, making it ideal for backyard gardens, and its cold hardiness ensures fruit will ripen by late June or early July, perfect for making pies and preserves.
Why Buy Montmorency Cherry Tree From Us?
When you buy a Montmorency cherry tree from us, you’re getting one of the most popular sour cherry varieties, renowned for its bright red cherries and tangy flavor perfect for pies, preserves, and more. This tart cherry tree is carefully grown to ensure it thrives in well-drained soil and USDA hardiness zones 4-9, producing an abundance of fully ripe fruit by late June to early July. While it’s a tart cherry, the Montmorency cherry tree also complements your garden’s landscape, offering both delicious tart cherries and a stunning addition to your backyard. With self-fertilizing capabilities, cold hardiness, and ornamental beauty in early spring, it’s a great choice for anyone who enjoys sweet cherry varieties as well.
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