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Tart Cherry variety

Montmorency

The short answer

Montmorency requires 500 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–7[2]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Montmorency growing facts
Chill requirement500 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–7[2]
PollinationSelf-fertile[1]
Harvest windowJune–July[2]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for tart cherries)[3]
AppearanceLarge, crack-resistant red fruit with firm yellow flesh[2]
Montmorency tart cherrySpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Notes

  • Self-pollinating (self-fruitful); no pollenizer required, though tart cherries can be interplanted for higher set.[2]
  • The dominant US/Canada pie cherry; bright-red fruit with clear juice.[4]
  • Late-blooming, so it can also help pollenize some sweet cherries; the main US pie cherry.[5]

A year with your Montmorency

When the work happens for a tart cherry in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Tart Cherry in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Spray timing—————
Harvest——————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month tart cherry calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Montmorency where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Montmorency? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Montmorency need?
Montmorency needs 500 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Montmorency?
Montmorency grows in USDA zones 4–7.
Is Montmorency self-pollinating?
Montmorency is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Cherries — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Utah State University Extension (Intermountain Tree Fruit Production Guide). Varieties for Utah — Cherry — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Raintree Nursery. Montmorency Cherry — variety page — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Raintree Nursery. Bing Cherry — variety page — accessed July 2026