How to Grow Montmorency Cherry Tree
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Montmorency Cherry Tree
Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'
treeMontmorency is a sour or tart cherry cultivar prized for cooking, baking, and preserving. It produces bright red, medium-sized fruits on a hardy, deciduous tree that typically grows 20-30 feet tall. This self-fertile variety is one of the most widely grown sour cherry cultivars in North America.
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Example Montmorency Cherry Tree timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Montmorency Cherry Tree
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Montmorency Cherry Tree
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Montmorency Cherry Tree dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-7, with cold hardiness down to -40°F
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Get my Montmorency Cherry Tree timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree develops root system and establishes branching structure. Limited flowering in first 1-2 years.
Water regularly (1-2 inches weekly), stake for wind support, prune to develop strong scaffold branches, remove competing central leaders
Juvenile
1-2 yearsTree grows vigorously, canopy fills in, sporadic flowering begins. Tree reaches 50-75% mature size.
Continue structural pruning, thin overcrowded branches to improve light penetration, maintain consistent moisture, begin light fertilizing
Flowering
2-3 weeksWhite to pale pink flowers appear in spring clusters before or as leaves emerge. Flowers are short-lived (7-10 days).
Do not prune during flowering, protect from late frosts (critical for fruit set), ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues, consider frost protection in marginal zones
Fruit Development
6-8 weeksSmall green fruits develop and gradually enlarge. Fruits ripen from green to bright red over 4-6 weeks. Peak ripeness occurs in late June to early July.
Thin fruits to 6-8 inches apart if heavily set to improve size and reduce branch breakage, maintain consistent watering, monitor for pests and diseases, provide support for heavy branches
Harvest & Dormancy
4-6 weeks harvest, 4-5 months dormancyFruits fully ripen and are harvested. Tree enters dormancy in fall, drops leaves, and ceases growth until spring.
Harvest when fully red and slightly soft; pick with stems intact. Prune during dormancy (late winter), remove dead/diseased wood, apply dormant oil spray for pest control, reduce fertilizing in late season
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Yellow sticky traps, netting during fruit development, cultural removal of infested fruit, spinosad spray in early summer
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Hand-pick beetles in early morning, use pheromone traps away from tree, neem oil spray, milky spore for soil larvae
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Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Increase humidity, spray with water, sulfur dust, neem oil in warm months
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Remove infected flowers and fruit promptly, improve air circulation through pruning, apply fungicide during bloom if history of disease, sterilize pruning tools
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Rake and remove fallen leaves, improve drainage and air circulation, apply copper fungicide in spring, resistant rootstock selection
Uses
Pie Filling & Preserves
CulinaryMontmorency cherries are the gold standard for cherry pie due to their balanced tart-sweet flavor and firm texture. They excel in jams, compotes, and canned goods. [source]
Juice & Beverages
CulinaryTart cherry juice is traditionally made from Montmorency cherries and enjoyed fresh or concentrated. The juice is also used in cocktails and vinegars. [source]
Sleep & Recovery Support
MedicinalMontmorency cherry juice contains natural melatonin and anthocyanins, compounds traditionally used to support sleep quality and post-exercise recovery. Scientific studies support its use for sleep promotion. [source]
Anti-inflammatory Properties
MedicinalThe high anthocyanin content in Montmorency cherries provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Traditionally used to support joint health and reduce inflammation. [source]
Natural Dye
HouseholdCherry juice can be used as a natural dye for textiles and crafts, producing red and pink hues that have been used historically for fabric coloring. [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 in late June through early July when fruits are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Pick cherries with the stem attached to avoid damaging the fruit spur. Early morning harvest yields best flavor and texture. Use a shallow basket to prevent crushing. For maximum sweetness, allow fruits to fully ripen on the tree. One mature tree yields 30-50 pounds of fruit annually.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Montmorency cherries are named after the Montmorency Valley in France and were first cultivated commercially in the early 1900s in Michigan, which remains the premier cherry-growing region in North America.
- 🌱 A single mature Montmorency cherry tree can produce enough fruit to make approximately 5 pies or 3-4 quarts of juice per year.
- 🌱 Montmorency is self-fertile, meaning a single tree can produce fruit without a pollinator, though cross-pollination with another cherry variety can increase yields by 10-20%.
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