Prunus avium Bigarreau Noir - Cherry Tree

The Black Bigarreau Cherry is characterised by its high yield, beautiful black fruits, and the admirable coloration of the leaves during the autumn months. In addition, the intense flowering, at the beginning of spring, brings joy in heralding the arrival of sunny days. It produces a bigarreau of large size, approximately 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, heart-shaped or rounded, with a fairly thick, shiny, dark purple skin. The pink-red flesh is crisp, fine, juicy, sweet, delicately flavoured, and not acidic. In the heart of summer, it is a delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh from the tree, or transformed into wonderful desserts or sweet jams. Highly ornamental, with a spreading habit, it can provide shade in summer. Recommended planting is in autumn. Its very good cold resistance and adaptation to all types of soils, except excessively clay ones.  With little susceptibility to diseases, it requires almost no maintenance.

Prunus avium belongs to the Rosaceae family, like the Morello Cherry (Prunus cerasus). Also known as Sweet Cherry or Bird Cherry, it is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, and has been present in Europe since the Neolithic period (Polished Stone Age). In France, cultivation began in the Middle Ages, where it was appreciated for its fruits and wood. It was during the 17th century that it colonized the largest orchards in the country. In the 18th century, Louis XV encouraged and promoted the discovery of new varieties.

The Black Bigarreau Cherry, is a very old variety that was mentioned as early as 1540. This bigarreau cherry tree forms a very vigorous tree, with a semi-erect silhouette that spreads with age, reaching approximately 5 to 6 metres (16 to 20 feet) in height and 3 to 5 metres (10 to 16 feet) in width when fully grown, producing numerous branches. The reddish wood is a characteristic of the cherry tree family. Its habit is well suited for free-form shapes on tall or half standards and low goblet shapes. The deciduous foliage is composed of large leaves, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, alternate, obovate, irregularly toothed, glossy green, turning brownish-orange in autumn. The semi-late flowering occurs around mid-April, before the leaves appear, which can expose it to late spring frosts. The pure white flowers, single, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, are grouped in clusters. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3 °C, so it is recommended to plant cherry trees in sheltered positions, facing west and protected from cold winds in regions that experience late frosts. Nevertheless, the very abundant flowering often results in a satisfactory fruit set. It is a remarkably decorative flowering in spring,and particularly honey-bearing and nectar-rich. A hardy tree that can withstand temperatures of around -20 °C, including at high altitudes.  This cherry tree is said to be self-sterile or self-incompatible, as the flowers cannot self-pollinate. This is why the presence of other cherry varieties nearby, flowering at the same time, is necessary. For example, the varieties Burlat, Early Rivers, Hedelfingen, Stark Gold, Summit, Van are suitable for cross-pollination, thereby increasing the number of fruits.

The Black Bigarreau Cherry, also known as Bigarreau Noir, offers a harvest that can be more or less abundant depending on the year and may exhibit alternating cycles, allowing the tree to replenish its reserves. With a relatively quick time to fruiting, around 3 to 4 years, the production of fruits becomes optimal after 6 to 7 years. A mature cherry tree (between 10 and 20 years old) produces an average of 25 to 50 kilograms of fruits per year. The fruit is attached to the branch by a relatively short stalk, 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) long. Harvesting begins in late June and extends into July. It is important to pick the fruits only when they are ripe, as they do not ripen further, and with their stems to ensure good storage. Cherries being quite delicate, they are harvested using a picking pole or manually with a ladder, but always with delicacy. Very juicy and very sweet, this cherry is delicious when eaten raw. In cooking, it reveals all its flavors in the making of clafoutis, cakes, crumbles or pies, fruit salads, and as an accompaniment to savory dishes based on white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, duck, etc.). They are also perfect for making jams, preserved in syrup, or canned.

Its content of vitamins A, C, and E, phenolic antioxidants, calcium, and copper, with a significant contribution of iron, its richness in trace elements and fibers, make cherries a health asset. The fruits can only be stored for a few days in a cool place or in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen once washed, dried, stemmed, and pitted.

Very popular, the cherry tree finds its rightful place in the garden, planted on a lawn, in an orchard, or in a fruitful hedge. For the pleasure of young and old, among a wide range of cherry trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits one's desires.