How to Grow Cherry Black Tartarian
Cherry Black Tartarian
Prunus avium 'Black Tartarian'
treeBlack Tartarian is a sweet cherry cultivar prized for its large, dark purple-black fruits and excellent flavor. This vigorous, spreading tree produces abundant crops and is one of the most popular home garden cherry varieties. It's a classic heirloom variety dating back to the 1800s, known for reliable production and delicious eating quality.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-8, with best performance in zones 6-7
Sign up to see your zone highlighted.
Growth Stages
Establishment (Years 1-2)
2 yearsYoung tree focuses on root and branch development. Limited or no flowering. Trunk and scaffold branches grow rapidly.
Water consistently; prune to establish strong central leader or open vase form. Remove competing branches. Stake if necessary. Avoid heavy fruit load.
Vegetative Growth (Years 2-3)
1-2 yearsTree develops structure and foliage mass. First flowers may appear but should be removed to direct energy to tree development.
Continue pruning for framework. Thin competing branches. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring. Remove early flowers to strengthen tree.
Early Flowering & Fruiting (Years 3-4)
2-3 months (bloom to harvest)Tree produces first appreciable flowers in spring (white clusters), followed by developing fruit. Tree is approaching mature size.
Thin fruit clusters if heavy to ensure larger fruits. Provide consistent water during fruit development. Begin regular fertilizing schedule. Watch for pest damage.
Mature Production (Year 5+)
Ongoing annual cyclesFully developed tree producing abundant crops of large, dark fruits. Spring flowering is profuse; tree reaches 25-35 feet in height.
Maintain annual pruning to remove crossing/damaged branches and thin canopy. Consistent watering and fertilizing critical. Thin fruit if necessary for optimal size. Monitor for disease.
Harvest (Late June-July)
2-4 weeks depending on conditionsLarge, dark purple-black fruits mature and develop full sweetness. Fruits reach 1-1.25 inches diameter. Tree is heavy with ripe cherries.
Harvest fully ripe fruits by hand or gentle shaking into tarps. Pick in early morning for best flavor. Can harvest entire clusters. Store in cool location.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Remove by hand, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps
-
Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, release ladybugs
-
Set yellow sticky traps, remove infested fruit, apply spinosad or kaolin spray
-
Hand-pick in early morning, use pheromone traps away from tree, spray neem oil
-
Increase humidity, spray with water, use neem oil or miticide if severe
-
Remove nests by hand or pruning, spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), thin branches to reduce habitat
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryBlack Tartarian cherries are primarily valued as a fresh dessert fruit with exceptional sweetness and flavor. They are ideal for eating fresh off the tree, adding to fruit salads, and using in elegant desserts like cherry tarts and clafoutis. [source]
Preserves and syrup
CulinaryThe rich flavor makes excellent jam, jelly, and cherry syrup for pancakes, ice cream, and baking applications. Home canners prize this variety for its pectin content and deep color in preserved products. [source]
Wine and beverage production
HouseholdThe fruit's sugar content and flavor profile make it suitable for homemade cherry wine and liqueurs. Smaller harvests can be fermented for personal use. [source]
Pollinator and bird habitat
WildlifeThe abundant spring blossoms provide excellent nectar and pollen for bees and native pollinators. The ripe fruit attracts birds, making the tree valuable for supporting local wildlife. [source]
Traditional wellness
MedicinalCherry fruit contains anthocyanins and antioxidants traditionally used for joint health and inflammation management. The fruit's nutritional profile supports general wellness. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Black Tartarian cherries are ready to harvest when fully dark and slightly soft to touch, typically late June to early July depending on location. Pick fruits with stems intact by gently twisting or use two-handed technique to avoid branch damage. Harvest in morning when temperatures are cool for best flavor and storage. Fruits do not ripen after picking, so wait until fully mature. Can harvest clusters for easier picking. Store in refrigerator at 32-36°F for up to 2 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Tartarian cherries originated in the Caucasus region (modern-day Turkey/Georgia) and were brought to Europe by traders; 'Tartarian' refers to the Tartar peoples of that region
- 🌱 This variety is largely self-incompatible and requires cross-pollination, but Bing cherry and Stella cherry are excellent pollinators that bloom at the same time
- 🌱 A mature Black Tartarian cherry tree can produce 50-100 pounds of fruit per year at peak production, though yields vary based on weather and growing conditions
Want personalized planting timelines?
Sign up to get frost dates, task lists, and more for your zone.
Get started free