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Montmorency Sour Cherry

Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'

The quintessential pie cherry that produces abundant crops of bright red, tart cherries perfect for baking, preserves, and classic American desserts. This self-fertile variety is incredibly hardy and reliable, thriving in northern climates where sweet cherries struggle. Montmorency cherries are prized by bakers for their ability to hold their shape when cooked and their perfect balance of tartness and subtle sweetness.

Harvest

75-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Fruit is used both fresh and dried

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Montmorency Sour Cherry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Montmorency Sour Cherry · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 10-12 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loam, tolerates various soil types

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering during fruit development

SeasonEarly summer harvest

FlavorTart and tangy with subtle sweetness, firm flesh

ColorBright red with yellow flesh

SizeMedium, 0.75-1 inch diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	August – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	July – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Fruit is used both fresh and dried. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Dumosa'Dwarf variety 'Montmorency'Dwarf variety 'Persiciflora'Double pink flowers 'Rhexii'Double white flowers 'Semiplena'Semi-double flowers. Occasionally fruits var. austera LDark fruits and pendulous habit, 'Dumosa', 'Montmorency', 'Persiciflora', 'Rhexii', 'Semiplena', var. austera L.

Harvesting

Round red drupes with a center seed are sour to taste

Color: Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruit is used both fresh and dried

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Montmorency cherries stay fresh for 3-5 days at room temperature or up to two weeks when refrigerated in perforated plastic bags at 32-35°F. Don't wash until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay.

For long-term storage, freeze whole cherries with pits intact on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags once solid. Frozen cherries maintain quality for 8-12 months and work perfectly for pies and baking. Alternatively, pit the cherries and pack in sugar (1 part sugar to 4 parts cherries) before freezing.

Montmorency cherries excel for water-bath canning as jams, jellies, or pie filling. Their natural pectin content makes excellent preserves, while their tartness requires less lemon juice than sweet varieties. Dehydrated Montmorency cherries create intensely flavored dried fruit perfect for baking applications, though they require pre-treatment with ascorbic acid to maintain color.

History & Origin

Origin: Europe to SW Asia

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
+Edible: Fruit is used both fresh and dried
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Leaves, Seeds, Stems): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters ants

Marigold

Repels nematodes and various flying pests with strong scent

Tansy

Deters ants, mice, and flying insects that damage fruit

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and predatory insects that control cherry pests

White Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch

Garlic

Repels aphids, borers, and fungal diseases

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to cherry trees and inhibits growth

Grass Lawn

Competes heavily for water and nutrients, inhibits root development

Elderberry

Attracts spotted wing drosophila which damages cherry fruit

Nutrition Facts

Calories

63kcal(3%)

Protein

1.06g(2%)

Fiber

2.1g(8%)

Carbs

16g(6%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

7mg(8%)

Vitamin A

3mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

2.1mcg(2%)

Iron

0.36mg(2%)

Calcium

13mg(1%)

Potassium

222mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to brown rot and leaf spot

Common Pests

Cherry fruit fly, aphids, scale, birds

Diseases

Brown rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, bacterial canker

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Montmorency cherry trees to produce fruit?▼

Montmorency cherry trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting, with full production reached by year 6-7. Dwarf varieties may fruit slightly earlier, while standard trees take longer to mature. Young trees should have blossoms removed the first year to encourage strong root and branch development rather than early fruiting.

Can you grow Montmorency cherry trees in containers?▼

Yes, Montmorency cherries can be grown in large containers (minimum 20-25 gallons) with proper care. Choose dwarf rootstock varieties, use well-draining potting mix, and ensure containers have drainage holes. Container trees require more frequent watering and feeding, plus winter protection in colder zones since roots are more exposed to temperature fluctuations.

Do Montmorency cherry trees need a pollinator?▼

No, Montmorency cherry trees are self-fertile and do not require another cherry tree for pollination. This makes them excellent choices for small gardens or single-tree plantings. However, cross-pollination with other sour cherry varieties can sometimes increase fruit set and yield, though it's not necessary for fruit production.

When should I plant Montmorency cherry trees?▼

Plant Montmorency cherry trees in early spring while they're dormant, typically March through early April in northern climates. Fall planting is possible in zones 6-8 but gives trees less time to establish before winter stress. Avoid planting during active growth periods or when soil is waterlogged from spring thaw.

What does Montmorency cherry taste like compared to sweet cherries?▼

Montmorency cherries are distinctly tart and tangy with subtle underlying sweetness, quite different from sweet eating cherries. They're too sour for most fresh eating but perfect for baking, where their tartness balances sugar beautifully. The flesh is firmer than sweet cherries and holds its shape well when cooked, making them ideal for pies and preserves.

How do I protect Montmorency cherries from birds?▼

Install bird netting over the entire tree canopy 2-3 weeks before harvest when cherries begin turning red. Secure netting edges to the ground or trunk to prevent birds from getting underneath. Alternative methods include reflective tape, fake owls, or harvest bags for individual branches, though netting provides the most reliable protection for meaningful harvests.