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Cherry 'Montmorency'

15-Gallon, Semi-Dwarf

Height: 12-15 feet tall.
Spread: 12-15 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun.
Hardiness Zone: 4a.
Other Names: Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'

Description:
A classic tart cherry variety known for its bright red fruit and excellent flavor for baking and preserves. 'Montmorency' cherries are medium-sized, firm, and highly aromatic, offering a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness when fully ripe. This semi-dwarf tree is cold-hardy, disease-resistant, and a top choice for home orchards due to its consistent high yields.

Edible Qualities:
Cherry 'Montmorency' is prized for its firm, juicy flesh and bright tart flavor, making it one of the best cherries for pies and preserves. It can also be enjoyed fresh when fully ripe.

The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Baking
- Preserves
- Juicing
- Fresh Eating (When Fully Ripe)
- Drying

Features & Attributes:
Cherry 'Montmorency' features lush green foliage in summer and a stunning display of fragrant white blossoms in early spring that attract pollinators. Its cherries ripen in early to mid-summer, forming in clusters and standing out beautifully against the dark green leaves.

This is a deciduous tree with an upright, spreading growth habit. It is highly productive and well-adapted to colder climates, making it an excellent choice for backyard orchards.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Cherry 'Montmorency' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Orchard/Edible Landscaping
- Home Gardens

Planting & Growing:
Cherry 'Montmorency' will grow to be about 12-15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12-15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3-4 feet from the ground. It grows at a medium rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is self-fertile, meaning it does not require another cherry tree for pollination, but planting multiple trees can improve yields. Regular watering during dry periods and annual pruning help maintain shape and encourage better fruiting. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Additional Characteristics:
- Early to Mid-Season Ripening
- Self-Fertile
- Cold Hardy
- High-Yielding
- Fragrant Spring Blossoms