Montmorency has dominated the tart cherry industry for many years. This cultivar, which originated in Europe many years ago, has large fruit that is medium red in color, light colored flesh and has clear juice. Fruit quality is good, and Montmorency ripens in mid June in Missouri. Trees are medium to large, spreading, productive, and vigorous. This cultivar is widely recommended for production in Missouri.

Two tart cherry cultivars, Meteor and North Star, were developed several years ago at the University of Minnesota. Both are genetically dwarf forms of tart cherry, with North Star in particular a small tree. Both are hardy, produce small fruit, and are currently not recommended for commercial production in Missouri. Another series of genetically dwarf tart cherry cultivars is under development in Canada, but cultivars from this program are presently not available for testing in Missouri.

Surefire is a recently released tart cherry cultivar from New York. The fruit is bright red, medium in size and very tart. The trees are vigorous and productive. Surefire is described as late-blooming.

Three tart cherry cultivars developed in Hungary are now available in North America. Reports from the Great Lakes suggest that the fruit of these cultivars, which is large, sweeter than Montmorency, and firm, may offer potential for sales as a fresh fruit that is consumed directly, unlike most tart cherries, which are utilized as a processed fruit or in baking. These cultivars produce fruit that is dark red, with red flesh and juice. Trials in other regions suggest that these cultivars are less productive than Montmorency and possibly less hardy. Balaton is most widely tested, and appears to offer potential for Missouri tart cherry producers. This cultivar ripens a few days later than Montmorency. The complex flavor of Balaton fruit is uniquely adapted for wine, dried fruit, and specialty products such as chocolate covered cordials. The other two Hungarian cultivars, Jubileum and Danube, have similar fruit characteristics to Balaton. Jubileum has had the sweetest fruit in trials. Jubileum and Danube ripen earlier than Balaton, usually at the same time as Montmorency. The Hungarian cultivars have not been extensively evaluated in Missouri.

Mazzard and Mahaleb are good rootstocks for tart cherry in Missouri, and will remain standards for some time. However, several recently developed sweet cherry rootstocks may offer potential for tart cherry growers, particularly in the area of size control and precocity. In particular, the Gisela series of rootstocks, developed in Germany, are of interest. Four Gisela stocks have been tested in North America and are commercially available. The information below is from a report from Pennsylvania State University on the performance of cherry rootstocks.

Gisela 5: Tested as Gi148/2, it is reportedly very precocious, producing a tree about 50 percent the size of Mazzard. The rootstock seems to induce an open canopy with wide branch angles. Trees produce few suckers.

Gisela 6: Tested as Gi 148/1, it is a precocious rootstock that produces trees about 65 to 95 percent of the size of trees on Mazzard. It is reported to induce early bloom and is tolerant of viruses. Extra care must be taken to ensure that desired shoot extension growth is maintained

Gisela 7: Tested as Gi148/8, it is reported to be about 50 percent the size of Mazzard. The rootstock produces some suckers. Support is also recommended for trees on this rootstock. Gisela 7 in recent research has shown some sensitivity to Prunus Necrotic Ringspot virus. Therefore, nematode management strategies for peaches should also be used when planting this rootstock.

Gisela 12: Tested as Gi195/2, this is a semidwarf type producing a tree about 70 percent the size of Mazzard. It is reported to have good virus resistance and does not sucker.

These recently available tart cherry cultivars and rootstocks have potential for Missouri cherry producers. While a small industry, tart cherries are a profitable crop for small scale direct market orchards. Potential markets for tart cherries also include processing, juice, and wine. While testing of these cultivars and rootstocks is necessary to determine their utility in Missouri, the future certainly looks interesting. Nurseries report a strong demand and a short supply for tart cherry planting stock. Orchardists are advised to order at least 12 months in advance of a proposed planting date.

Patrick Byers, Fruit Grower Advisor
Missouri State University
State Fruit Experiment Station