How to Grow Black Tartarian Cherry

Black Tartarian Cherry

Prunus avium 'Black Tartarian'

tree

Black Tartarian is a classic sweet cherry cultivar known for its large, dark purple to black fruits with rich, sweet flavor. It's a vigorous, productive tree that has been grown since the 1700s and remains popular in home orchards. This variety requires a pollinator and thrives in temperate climates with cold winters.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best fruit production

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Water: Regular watering during growing season, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week. Deep watering is important, especially during fruit development. Reduce watering after harvest. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1440-1825 (trees produce fruit in 3-5 years from grafted nursery stock)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as nursery container; graft union should be 2-3 inches above soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good structure

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

compost peat moss perlite for drainage aged manure

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-8, with best performance in zones 5-7

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Growth Stages

Establishment

1-2 years

Young tree is developing root system and initial framework. Growth is rapid with vigorous shoots.

Water deeply 2-3 times weekly. Avoid heavy pruning first year. Remove flower buds first 2 years to direct energy to growth. Stake tree for support in windy areas.

Vegetative Growth

2-3 years

Tree grows larger branches and develops overall shape. Leaf canopy expands, tree reaches mature size gradually.

Prune to establish open center or modified leader form. Remove crossing branches. Apply dormant oil in late winter. Thin new shoots if overcrowded.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

In early spring (April-May depending on zone), abundant white-pink flowers appear on previous year's wood before leaves fully emerge.

Ensure pollinator tree is nearby (Bing, Royal Ann, or other sweet cherry needed). Protect from late frosts if possible. Do not fertilize heavily; use low-nitrogen formula.

Fruit Development & Growth

8-10 weeks

Small green fruits develop from pollinated flowers. Fruits enlarge through spring and early summer, developing deep red then black coloration.

Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart for larger cherries if desired. Water consistently; fruit cracks if watering is irregular after rain. Apply bird netting if birds are problematic.

Ripening & Harvest

2-3 weeks

Fruits reach full dark purple-black color and maximum sweetness. Flesh becomes firm yet juicy. Ready to harvest mid-June to early July depending on location.

Wait for full ripeness—fruit will taste much better. Harvest gently by hand, holding the branch. Use pruning shears to avoid branch damage. Pick berries with stems if possible for longer storage.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil borage clover vetch nitrogen-fixing legumes yarrow

Avoid planting near:

walnut trees fennel root vegetables directly under canopy

Common Pests

Yellow sticky traps; remove and destroy infested fruit; apply spinosad or kaolin clay (Surround) starting at fruit set; monitor with traps in June-July
Hand-pick beetles in early morning; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; use pheromone traps away from tree
Spray with water; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs and parasitic wasps
Increase humidity with overhead watering; spray with miticide if severe; encourage predatory mites
Remove tents by hand in early morning; spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when caterpillars are young
Prune out infected branches; thin fruit for air circulation; apply fungicide at bloom and fruit stage; remove mummified fruit

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Black Tartarian cherries are excellent for eating fresh out of hand due to their large size and sweet, rich flavor. They're also ideal for use in pies, tarts, jams, and other desserts. [source]

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Preserving and jam-making

Culinary

The firm flesh and good sugar content make these cherries excellent for making preserves, jams, and kirsch (cherry liqueur) due to their aromatic compounds. [source]

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Anthocyanins and antioxidants

Medicinal

Dark cherries are rich in anthocyanins, the compounds that give them their black color, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Fresh or dried cherries may support sleep and recovery. [source]

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Wildlife food source

Wildlife

Produces abundant fruit attractive to birds and other wildlife, supporting local ecosystems. The abundant flowers also provide early-season nectar for pollinators. [source]

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Wood and ornamental value

Craft

Cherry wood is prized in woodworking. The tree is also ornamental in spring with abundant white-pink blossoms, adding landscape beauty to any property. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when fruits are fully black and slightly soft to gentle pressure, typically mid-June to early July depending on zone. Pick with stem attached when possible. Harvest in the morning after dew dries. Ripe cherries store refrigerated for 1-2 weeks. Taste is the best indicator of ripeness—they will not ripen further after picking.

Fun Facts

🌱 Black Tartarian is a very old cultivar, likely originating in Asia (Turkey region) and brought to Europe centuries ago. It's been grown continuously since the 1700s and remains one of the most reliable home orchard cherries.
🌱 The tree can grow quite large—20-30 feet tall and wide—and become very long-lived, with some specimens producing for 50+ years. A mature tree can produce 100+ pounds of fruit in a good year.
🌱 Unlike sour cherries, sweet cherries like Black Tartarian absolutely require cross-pollination. You must plant a compatible pollinator like Bing, Royal Ann, or Windsor cherry for fruit production, as they won't self-pollinate.

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