Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry Tree

Emperor Francis is the cherry that makes the best homemade maraschino cherries — firm, sweet, crack-resistant yellow-blushed-red fruit with the texture and flavor that holds up through the maraschino process beautifully, while being outstanding eaten fresh right off the tree or used in jams, jellies, and preserves. Introduced to the United States circa the early 1900s and consistently productive in home orchards since, it’s a late-June sweet cherry with firm flesh, excellent flavor, and reliable crack resistance that most home cherry growers rarely find in a single variety. A pollinator is required — does not cross-pollinate with Bing. Cold hardy in Zones 5–7.

Important: Emperor Francis will not cross-pollinate with Bing. Choose a different compatible sweet cherry variety as a pollinator.

Make Your Own Maraschino Cherries — The Best Cherry for the Job

The maraschino cherry is almost always made from firm, yellow-blushed sweet cherries — and Emperor Francis is among the finest varieties for that purpose. The firm flesh holds its structure through the maraschino brining and sweetening process without becoming mushy, and the mild, sweet flavor carries the process beautifully. Home-made maraschinos from Emperor Francis are genuinely exceptional — far superior to anything commercial, and a deeply satisfying use of a late-June cherry harvest.

Crack Resistant — Reliable in Variable Weather

Cherry cracking from rain before harvest is one of the most frustrating and common problems in home cherry growing — a single wet period at the wrong time can split and ruin a substantial portion of the crop. Emperor Francis’s crack resistance provides meaningful protection against that loss, delivering more consistently intact, high-quality fruit through variable weather conditions.

Introduced to the US Circa Early 1900s — Consistently Productive

Emperor Francis has been growing in American home orchards for more than a century, and its longevity in the catalog reflects consistent performance across that entire time. The tree is reliably and consistently productive once established — delivering annual late-June harvests of firm, sweet medium-sized cherries year after year with the dependability that home orchardists value.

Why Growers Choose Emperor Francis

• The maraschino cherry — firm flesh holds perfectly through the maraschino process
• Outstanding for fresh eating — sweet, firm, and enjoyable straight off the tree
• Crack resistant — more consistent harvests through variable pre-harvest weather
• Introduced to the US circa early 1900s — over 100 years of reliable home orchard performance
• Consistently productive — dependable annual late-June harvests
• Excellent for jams, jellies, and preserves — versatile across every kitchen application