Cherry tree pollinator duo for a bountiful harvest

This pollinator duo of 'Bigarreau Burlat' and 'Napoléon' cherry trees allows for an abundant harvest from the end of May to the end of June. When planted in the same garden, within a radius of 20 to 30 metres (66 to 98 feet), these two non-self-fertile varieties that bloom at the same time pollinate each other. The Burlat, with its large size and dark red color, is an excellent table cherry, renowned for its flavor and crispness, while the Napoléon, recognizable by its red and yellow skin, is more suitable for processing.

This duo consists of: 

- 1 x 'Bigarreau Burlat' Cherry Tree: an early and productive variety, providing large, sweet fruits with firm and crisp flesh, excellent taste, and shiny dark red skin. The tree has good resistance to late frosts. From mid-March, it is covered with small white flowers that appear before the leaves. The Burlat variety can be harvested from late May. It is mainly enjoyed as is, "under the tree".

- 1 x 'Napoléon Bigarreau' Cherry Tree: a vigorous variety, producing heart-shaped fruits with white and juicy flesh, and yellow skin tinged with red. They attract few birds. Flowering starts at the end of March and harvesting begins from early June. These cherries are excellent when prepared in syrup, eau-de-vie, or in a clafoutis, for example.

The harvest can be more or less abundant depending on the year and may present an alternation phenomenon, allowing the tree to replenish its reserves with smaller yields in alternate years. Fruit production becomes optimal after 6 to 7 years. Enjoy the cherries just after picking or, if the harvest is abundant, use them to make pies, clafoutis, jams, and preserves. Cherries are rich in vitamin C, minerals, and trace elements. Cherries should be picked when ripe as they do not ripen after harvesting.

The Bigarreau Cherry Tree belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree of medium size, reaching 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) in height at maturity. It is hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C, while the flowers are susceptible to spring frosts and are damaged at -2°C. Its rounded habit provides a beautiful shaded space, very pleasant during the summer. Its alternate, toothed leaves are shiny and dark green, then take on a lovely reddish hue in autumn before falling. Suitable for all regions of France, the cherry tree can be planted on a short grass meadow, at the back of a border, or within an orchard.

A goblet-trained fruit tree does not have a central leader (vertical main stem), but instead has branches radiating from its trunk. This particular form allows for good penetration of sunlight and air into the branches, which promotes fruit development and ripening while limiting the development of diseases.