Plant Library

Other Names:  Sweet Cherry, Mazzard Cherry

Description:

An heirloom variety featuring showy white flowers in spring followed by sweet, deep red-black cherries; vigorous with a pyramidal habit; needs full sun, well drained soil; one of the best pollinators for other sweet cherries

Edible Qualities

Black Tartarian Cherry is a medium-sized tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces dark red round fruit (technically 'drupes') with black overtones and dark red flesh which are usually ready for picking in mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Preserves
• Canning
• Freezing

Features & Attributes

Black Tartarian Cherry is smothered in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy dark red drupes with black overtones, which are carried in abundance in mid summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth dark red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

This is a deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Black Tartarian Cherry is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Black Tartarian Cherry will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.