Description
Cherry Tree Red Pigeon Heart
The Red Pigeon Heart Cherry is an exceptional heirloom variety, cultivated in France since 1540. This old variety of cherry tree is distinguished by its beautiful heart-shaped fruits, turning from bright yellow to light red when ripe. Known for its firm, crunchy and deliciously sweet flesh with a slight hint of acidity, this productive cherry tree offers a generous harvest from the end of June to mid-July.
This vigorous variety has the unique advantage of producing a juice that does not stain, unlike other cherries. Its rounded semi-erect habit and rapid growth make it a popular choice for family orchards.
Characteristics of the fruit
| Appearance | Description | Qualities |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | In the characteristic | Large caliber (±10 grams) |
| Color | Bright | Smooth and attractive skin |
| Flesh | Yellow, firm and crunchy | Sweet, slightly tart |
Cœur de Pigeon cherries are distinguished by their excellent taste quality and remarkable storage capacity. Their firm flesh resists bursting well and their non-staining juice makes it easier to taste.
Pollination and complementary varieties
⚠️ Important: The Red Pigeon Heart Cherry is not self-fertile and absolutely requires the presence of a compatible pollinator within a radius of 20 to 30 meters to ensure optimal fruiting.
Recommended pollinators:
- For effective pollination, combine it with the Burlat cherry
- Excellent partnership with the Napoleon Cherry Tree
- Also compatible with Summit Cherry
Cultivation and planting of the Red Pigeon Heart Cherry Tree
🌱 Planting conditions
The Red Pigeon Heart Cherry adapts to a wide range of soils, as long as they are light and well-drained. It even tolerates calcareous soils but fears heavy clay soils. A sunny exposure is preferable, sheltered from strong winds.
📅 Planting period
Planting is ideally done in the fall (November to March) for bare-root plants, allowing better rooting before spring recovery.
💧 Watering and maintenance
Regular watering is necessary in the first year. Subsequently, the tree becomes drought-resistant. Adding fruit tree fertilizer in the spring promotes production.
Size Care
Training pruning is carried out the first 3 years after planting to structure the tree. Remove the branches pointing towards the center and those that intersect.
Maintenance Size: After harvesting, remove unsightly branches to maintain a harmonious shape and promote aeration. At the end of winter, systematically remove dead wood.
Resistance and hardiness
🌡️ Excellent hardiness: Withstands temperatures down to -20°C, making it a variety suitable for most French regions, including at altitudes up to 800 meters.
🦠 Disease resistance: Good overall resistance, slight susceptibility to monilia in wet years. Flowers may be sensitive to late spring frosts.
Harvesting and Use
The harvest of the Red Pigeon Cherry Tree is spread from the end of June to mid-July, offering an abundant production after the 3rd year of planting. Cherries can be eaten fresh or made into jams, compotes and pastries.
💡 Tip: For optimal flavor, remove the cherries from the refrigerator 30 minutes before eating.
Advantages of this variety
- ✅ Heirloom variety proven since 1540
- ✅ Non-staining juice – convenient for tasting
- ✅ Very tasty large fruits
- ✅ Excellent storage
- ✅ Very good resistance to cold
- ✅ Generous production
- ✅ Firm, burst-resistant flesh
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