Sour Cherry 'Montmorency' (Prunus cerasus): The Classic Pie Cherry

If you've eaten a cherry pie in North America, chances are it was made with 'Montmorency' (Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'). This venerable cultivar is the gold standard for tart cherries—bright red, juicy, and perfectly balanced for cooking, preserves, and juice.

Fruit & Tree Characteristics

'Montmorency' produces medium-large, fire-engine red cherries with pale yellow flesh and clear juice. The flavor is richly tart, not sweet—ideal for baking. The tree is self-fertile, productive, and relatively compact at 12–15 feet. White spring blossoms are showy; foliage turns yellow in fall.

Botanical Details

• Family: Rosaceae
• Genus: Prunus
• Species: cerasus
• Cultivar: Montmorency

Growing Tips

Requires 700–1,000 chill hours, full sun, and well-drained soil. Prune to an open center for air flow. Birds love the fruit—net the tree. Harvest when fully red for best flavor. 'Montmorency' is cold-hardy to USDA zone 4 and widely adapted across the northern U.S. and Canada.