Cherry (Tart)
Can I Grow Montmorency?
Montmorency is America's tart cherry — the bright red pie cherry that makes up 95% of US sour cherry production. Self-fertile and cold-hardy, it's easier to grow than sweet cherries.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
700
Hardiness Zones
4-5-6-7-8-9
Harvest
Late June to July
Pollination
Self-fertile
Results
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About Montmorency
Montmorency is America's tart cherry — the bright red pie cherry that makes up 95% of US sour cherry production. Self-fertile and cold-hardy, it's easier to grow than sweet cherries.
Montmorency requires 700 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
Tart cherries are for cooking, not fresh eating; prone to cherry leaf spot in humid climates.
❌ Common Misconception
Can I grow Montmorency in Zone 10 or warmer?
No. While Montmorency is listed for zones 4-9, it requires 700 chill hours to produce fruit. Warm zones like 10+ typically receive only 200-400 chill hours. The tree may survive but will not fruit reliably. Consider low-chill alternatives like Anna apple (200h) or Tropic Snow peach (200h) instead.
Plan Your Orchard
Log pruning, spraying, and harvests. See what you did last season. All your trees in one place.
Start Tracking Free →Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.