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Orange Pippin Trees USA logoSpecialist fruit trees for your orchard or back-yard

Montmorency cherry trees

Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'

Montmorency
Montmorency is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Fruit color: Red

Montmorency is the definitive American cherry pie variety. It is easy to grow and makes a good first cherry tree for a cook's garden or orchard.

Montmorency is a tart cherry (also known as an acid or sour cherry) grown for use in the kitchen rather than eating fresh. It has yellow flesh and the juice is clear, and is known as an "Amarelle" type, in contrast with the "Morello" type which has dark red juice.

Most tart cherries contain melatonin, a natural anti-oxidant substance which is also involved in regulating sleeping and wakefullness - but Montmorency is thought to have particularly high levels.

Montmorency tart cherry trees for sale

  • Full-size 1-year bare-root tree $38.95
    Mature height: 16ft-24ft after 10 years
    Vigorous rootstock
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How to grow

Montmorency is self-fertile, no pollination partner is required. It is an early-season cherry, ripening at the start of July.

The tree is easy to grow, very cold-hardy, and productive.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

The origins of Montmorency are not clear, but it is thought to come from 17th century France. It has long been the staple acid cherry variety used by commercial orchards in North America, particularly in Michigan.

Montmorency characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Pollination group5
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • UsesCulinary
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-3 days
  • General resistanceGood
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colorRed