Autumn 2024 planting seasonPre-order now for EU delivery December 2024 - March 2025

Montmorency cherry trees

Prunus cerasus
Montmorency sour cherries
Montmorency is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

If you want to make American-style cherry pie, Montmorency is the cherry you need. It is easy to grow and makes a good first cherry tree for a cook's garden or orchard. It originates from France, but was taken to North America by the early settlers, and is now perhaps better known in America than Europe.

Montmorency is a tart cherry (also known as an acid or sour cherry), grown for use in the kitchen rather than eating fresh. It has yellow flesh and the juice is clear, and is known as an "Amarelle" type, in contrast with the "Morello" type which has dark red juice.

Most tart cherries contain melatonin, a natural anti-oxidant substance which is also involved in regulating sleeping and wakefullness - but Montmorency is thought to have particularly high levels.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Montmorency organic cherry trees for sale


  • 1 yeartree on Gisela 5 rootstock25.00€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out
EU delivery countries
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
Delivery chargesClick here to view estimated delivery charges.

Growing and Training

Montmorency is self-fertile, no pollination partner is required. It ripens at the start of July.

The tree is easy to grow, very cold-hardy, and productive.


Montmorency characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group5
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • Season of use1-3 days
  • Food usesCulinary
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colourRed

Similar varieties

  • Gros Bigarreau de la Groise
    Gros Bigarreau de la Groise is red sweet cherry from northern France, which ripens in late June / early July.
  • Guigne Noire de Ruesnes
    Guigne Noire de Ruesnes is a dark red sweet cherry which ripens in early July.
  • Verchocq
    Verchocq is a traditional white cherry, maturing in early July.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.