Prunus avium Noir de Meched - Organic Cherry Tree

The Organic Bigarreau Noir de Meched cherry is a variety that ensures a bountiful production of delicious and flavourful black cherries. The drupe is medium to large in size, measuring 2.5 to 2.7cm (1in) in diameter, and weighing 8 to 10 grams. It has a heart-shaped form with a fairly thick, shiny red-purple skin that turns almost black when ripe. The flesh is juicy, firm, melting, crisp, aromatic, sweet, and not acidic. It has good resistance to splitting and is not prone to bursting, making it suitable for various culinary uses. Harvesting takes place from late June to mid-July and the fruits can be consumed immediately after picking. It is recommended to plant it in the autumn. Its good hardiness and adaptability to all types of soil, except overly clayey soil, make it suitable for cultivation in moat regions. In addition, its intense and early flowering offers a striking spring spectacle and its spreading habit provides ample shade in summer. It is virtually maintenance-free and resistant to diseases.

Prunus avium belongs to the Rosaceae family, like the Morello Cherry (Prunus cerasus). It is also known as Wild Cherry or Bird Cherry and is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It has been cultivated in Europe since the Neolithic period (Stone Age).

Noir de Meched is an ancient variety originating from Iran. This black cherry forms a 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-brown wood is characteristic of the cherry tree family. Its habit is well-suited for free forms on tall or half-standard trees, as well as low goblet-shaped forms. The deciduous foliage consists of large, alternate, obovate leaves measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in length, irregularly toothed, and shiny green, with autumnal shades of brown-orange. The semi-late flowering occurs around mid-April, before the leaves appear, which exposes it to late spring frosts. The pure white single flowers, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter, are grouped in clusters. They can be damaged by frost from -2 to -3°C, so it is recommended to plant cherry trees in a sheltered position, facing west and protected from cold winds in regions that experience late frosts. On the plus side, the very abundant flowering often results in satisfactory fruiting. It has remarkably decorative flowering in spring, particularly attractive to bees and pollinators. A hardy tree that can withstand temperatures of around -20°C, it is suitable for cultivation in most regions, including in high-altitude areas.  This cherry tree is self-sterile or self-incompatible, meaning the flowers cannot self-pollinate. Therefore, the presence of other cherry tree varieties nearby, flowering at the same time, is necessary. The varieties Burlat, Early Rivers, Hedelfingen, Stark Gold, Summit, and Van are suitable for cross-pollination and increasing fruit set.

Prunus avium Noir de Meched offers a harvest that can be more or less abundant depending on the year, and may exhibit an alternate (biennial) bearing phenomenon, allowing the tree to replenish its reserves. With fairly rapid fruiting, in around 3 to 4 years, the fruit production becomes optimal after 6 to 7 years. An adult cherry tree (between 10 and 20 years old) produces an average of 25 to 50 kilograms of fruit per year. The fruit is attached to the branch by a relatively short stalk measuring 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in length. Harvesting begins in late June and continues through July. It is important to only pick the fruits when they are fully ripe, as they do not ripen further, and with their stalks to ensure good storage. Cherries are quite delicate, so harvesting is done with a picking pole or manually on a ladder, always with care. Very juicy and very sweet, these cherries are delicious when eaten fresh. In cooking, they reveal all their flavours in the making of clafoutis, cakes, crumbles, pies, fruit salads, and as accompaniments to savoury dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, duck, etc.). They are also perfect for making jams, preserved fruits in syrup, and preserves.

The cherry's content of vitamins A, C, and E, phenolic antioxidants, calcium, and copper, with a significant iron contribution, as well as its richness in trace elements and fibres, make it 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 easily finds its place in the garden, planted on a lawn, in an orchard, or in an edible hedge. Bringing pleasure to young and old, from among the wide range of cherry trees it is easy to find the one that best suits your taste.