Description
Black Tartarian opens the cherry season. The fruit ripens in early summer, roughly two weeks before Bing, and is medium sized, heart shaped and nearly black when ripe, with juicy, sweet flesh and a rich, full flavor for fresh eating, jam and preserves.
It is an old variety with a long record. It came out of the Circassia region of Russia, reached England in 1794, and for generations it was the pollinator planted alongside Bing.
Black Tartarian is not self-fertile. Plant it with another sweet cherry such as Bing, Rainier, Van, Stella or Lapins. Lambert, Royal Ann and Napoleon will not pollinate it.
Overview
- Early sweet cherry, about two weeks before Bing.
- Dark, juicy, sweet fruit with a rich flavor.
- Heirloom from Russia, grown since the 1700s.
- Strong pollinator for Bing, Rainier and Van.
- Needs a partner: not Lambert, Royal Ann or Napoleon.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Prunus avium ‘Black Tartarian’
Site and Soil: Well-drained soil; 1/2 day to full day of sun
Hardiness (Temp): -20°F
USDA Zone: 5–8
Chill Requirement: 700+ hours
Ripening Time: Early summer, about two weeks before Bing (varies by climate)
Pollination: Needs a second sweet cherry; Lambert, Royal Ann and Napoleon are not compatible
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Planted as the pollinator for a Bing or Rainier, it earns its spot twice: the main crop sets better, and you are picking ripe cherries two weeks before it starts.
- Regional Insight: Suited to cherry country with real winters, zones 5 through 8, from the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West to the Great Lakes and Northeast; it needs 700 or more chill hours, so mild-winter parts of the South and coastal California are a poor fit.
- Explore more cherry trees in our collection: Cherry Trees
