Description

Originating from Montmorency Valley, France circa 1600s, introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s the Stark® Montmorency Pie Cherry tree remains the most popular cherry tree in the United States. This tree produces a high volume of sweet and tangy cherries perfect for mouth-watering pies and cobblers. The firm texture of this yellow fleshed cherry makes it ideal for fresh eating or drying.

The Stark® Montmorency Pie Cherry tree has beautiful white blossoms in spring and produces an abundant number of cherries that ripen in summer. This self-pollinating tree thrives in loamy well drained soil. Stark® Montmorency Pie Cherry tree is a cold hardy tree which can be grown into zone 4. The tree does best in full sun and while self-pollinating a pollinating partner can improve cherry production. See below for a recommended pollinating partner and plant within 100’ of the Montmorency cherry.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Mid - Late
Fruit Color Red
Fruit Size Medium
Hardiness Zone Range 4 - 7
Pollination Self-Pollinating
Ripens/Harvest June
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Taste Tangy
Texture Firm
Years to Bear 3 - 5

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:
Standard 15 - 18' tall x 15 - 18' wide
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15' tall x 12 - 15' wide
Dwarf 8 - 10' tall x 8 - 10' wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:
Standard 15 - 18'
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15'
Dwarf 8 - 10'

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 4 - 7
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

This variety is self pollinating.

In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. Plant one of these varieties within 100' for best results.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow cherry trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

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Questions & Answers

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155 Questions
Why did you choose this?

My parents had this tree at their house. Loved the cherries. Now I want some at my home.

Based in Missouri and my family is familiar with the company.

Sour cherry are the best cherries! can't get enough!

I’ve had one before and it is my favorite cherry for pie and jelly.

What is the difference between stark Montmorency and regular Montmorency?

You cannot beat Stark trees. If they carry the name Stark you can be sure they were selected for high quality and quantity of fruit or flowers

This is self-pollinating but you recommend planting "pollinating partners" for increased yield. What do you recommend as a partner for the Montmorency?

Another sour cherry tree like Balaton or North Star will cross-pollinate Montmorency.

We want to espalier a cherry tree. Would you recommend a dwarf or semi-dwarf?

The dwarf size is easier to manage and will still produce full-sized fruit.

Is it ok to plant sweet cherries and sour cherries together?

Hi, Brenda. Sure you can plant them together, but they will not pollinate one another (despite what you may read on the Internet).

Will the montmorency cherry cross pollinate with any sweet cherry varieties or does it need to be a sour cherry? I would like to get a sweet cherry for eating fresh, but don't have room in my yard for 2 more if it need a pollination partner

Thank you for your question. Sour cherries won't pollinate sweet cherries, and vice-versa. The happy news is that Montmorency is self-pollinating, and so are many sweet cherries. Here are links to 2 of our favorite sweet cherries, Whitegold® and Stella:

http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/cherry-trees/whitegold-sweet-cherry
http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/cherry-trees/stella-sweet-cherry

We even have a self-pollinating tree that has TWO sweet cherries on the same tree:
http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/cherry-trees/stark-custom-graft-2-n-1-cherry

Let us know how it turns out!

How long will this tree bear fruit after it first starts? I’ve heard 10 years for dwarf. How does this compare to full size trees?

As listed in the characteristics, under the product description, this tree will take 4-7 years to bear fruit after planting. Dwarf size will usually bear a little sooner than a full size tree but there is no guarantee.

does this tree sucker?

Not in the sense you're probably thinking of. It won't spread or send up suckers anywhere but the rootstock will occasionally branch from the base, which you should prune.

What rootstock are your Montmorency semi-dwarf cherry trees grown on?

We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!

Is it too late to plant cherry, peach, and apple trees in Ottawa, KS?

Thank you for your question. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.

You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF, and 3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.

Will this grow and produce in the Florida panhandle?

I'm afraid that is too far south for a cherry tree, which needs a certain amount of chill hours in order to complete the fruiting cycle.

Customer Reviews

383 Ratings
3.8out of 5 stars
383 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 56% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 11% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 10% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 4% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 18% of reviewers

1-10 of 383 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 5, 2025
Perfect Tree
Tree arrived in perfect condition and it growing very well. Very satisfied.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 1, 2025
Five years and a transplant later ?
From the skinny bare root beginning, I now have a 15 ft tall by 10 ft wide beauty loaded with fruit. Healthy and tough tree.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 19, 2025
Best cherries for the best cherry pies (twin peaks worthy)
I've had my tree for four years, last year was the first year it produced, right around Memorial Day, and this year the same time!! I live in Middle Tennessee. Delicious sour cherries that are hard to find in stores. I've planted many fruit trees from starks, this one is my favorite. The cherry pies are really the best ever.
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 27, 2025
Great producer.
My 1 tree supplied enough cherries in 2024 to make the family Thanksgiving pie (from frozen), 2 cherry cobblers (from home canned), 4 jars of jam and a pound container was given away. So impressed I bought another.
Do have to net it near harvest time, I have lots of birds racing me to the harvest.
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 9, 2025
NE Oklahoma
No blooms or fruit yet. But the tree came in Great condition and seems to be growing well! I have it planted next to some "old homestead cherries" that come from a homestead in SW Oklahoma. Both are sour cherries. Anxious to see how they perform side by side!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jan 12, 2025
Wonderful Little Tree-makes delicious pies, spoonfruit!
I bought this little tree almost 10 years ago and it fruits beautifully since year 3. Small to start but incredibly healthy and strong tree. I currently have enough cherries each season (as long as I tent the tree) for around 4 pies. My North Star sadly died before it ever fruited, so this tree's fruit production is likely helped along by a Queen Ann cherry tree we have about 25 feet away. Montmorency is a delicious sweet tart cherry. I can eat them raw off the tree (they are sweeter than the North Star which I think I grew up with), but most prefer them in pies or spoon fruit with a touch of added sugar, lemon and I always add a smidge of almond oil to intensify the cherry flavor. If you are looking for an excellent pie cherry tree, the Stark Bro's Montmorency will not disappoint!
Rated 5 out of 5
Oct 14, 2024
Vigorous tree. Produces large amount to medium-sized tart cherries. Has not seemed susceptible to any diseases.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 23, 2024
Had the best year lots of beautiful cherries only had to chase birds away.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 21, 2024
It grew a foot the year I planted the tree. It is healthy and I look forward to next year
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 5, 2024
Excellent
Healthy, robust and shipped quickly. This tree is flourishing, thank you!