Prunus cerasus Bigarreau Napoléon - Tart Cherry Tree

The Napoleon Sweet Cherry Tree is a vigorous variety that produces fruits with white and juicy flesh, and yellow skin tinged with red. Flowering begins in late March. In order to ensure good fruiting, this self-sterile variety needs to be planted near a Burlat or Van Sweet Cherry Tree, within a radius of 20 to 30m (66 to 98ft). Planting is preferably done in autumn for harvesting from early June.

The Napoleon Sweet Cherry Tree produces heart-shaped fruits with white, juicy, and sweet flesh. The cherries, with yellow skin tinged with red, will attract few birds. Enjoy them right after picking or, if the harvest is abundant, use them to make pies, clafoutis, jams, and preserves. This variety is particularly suitable for processing. Cherries are rich in vitamin C, minerals, and trace elements.

Napoleon is a vigorous variety, originating from Germany. Starting from late March, the Napoleon Sweet Cherry Tree is covered with small white flowers that appear before the leaves. The Napoleon variety is pollinated by the Burlat or Van varieties. It is necessary to have another cherry tree nearby, within a radius of 20 to 30m (66 to 98ft), to ensure good fruiting. The Napoleon Sweet Cherry Tree is also a good pollinator for other varieties. This variety is harvested from early June. The harvest 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. Fruit production becomes optimal after 6 to 7 years. Cherries should be picked when ripe as they do not ripen after harvest.

The Sweet Cherry Tree (Prunus avium) belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching 5 to 10m (16 to 33ft) in height at maturity. It is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), while the flowers are susceptible to spring frosts and are damaged at -2°C (28.4°F). Its rounded habit provides a beautiful shaded space, which is very pleasant during the summer. Its alternate, dentate leaves are shiny and dark green, and then turn a lovely russet colour in autumn before falling. Adapted to most regions, the Cherry Tree can be planted on a lawn, at the back of a flowerbed, or in an orchard.