Prunus cerasus Stella - Tart Cherry

Highly ornamental, the Stella Cherry Tree Organic is characterized by its elegant silhouette, dwarf and compact habit, resplendent spring flowering, and foliage that turns reddish-orange in autumn. It is a self-fertile variety, not requiring another variety for pollination. It produces a delicious fruit from late June, with a large size, ranging from 2.5 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, round shape, with a fairly thin, dark red skin, and a beautiful shine, becoming almost black when ripe. The firm, juicy, sweet flesh is red, without acidity, and delicately scented. Cherries should be picked as they ripen, with their stalks, to improve their storage. Excellent for fresh consumption, in the heart of summer, the fruits are particularly refreshing and hydrating. Cold-resistant, adapting to all types of soils, except too clayey ones, with little sensitivity to diseases, it is an easy-to-plant and virtually maintenance-free fruit tree. Preferably planted in autumn.

The Prunus avium belongs to the Rosaceae family, like the Morello Cherry Tree (Prunus cerasus). Also known as Wild Cherry or Bird Cherry, it is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, and has been present in Europe since the Neolithic period (Polished Stone Age). In France, cultivation began in the Middle Ages, where it was appreciated for its fruits and wood. It was in the 17th century that it colonized the largest orchards in the country. In the 18th century, Louis XV encouraged and promoted the discovery of new varieties.

The Stella variety forms a small tree with a semi-upright silhouette that spreads with age, reaching approximately 2 to 3 meters (7 to 10 feet) in height and 1.5 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 feet) in width. The reddish-wood characterizes it as a cherry tree. Its habit is suitable for free forms on half-standards and low goblet forms. The deciduous foliage is composed of large leaves, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, alternate, obovate, irregularly dentate, shiny green, turning brownish-orange in autumn. The rather late flowering occurs around the second half of April, before the appearance of the leaves, which generally protects it from late spring frosts. The pure white flowers, simple, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, are clustered. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3 °C, so it is recommended to plant cherry trees in sheltered, west-facing locations protected from cold winds in regions that experience late frosts. Nevertheless, the very abundant flowering often leads to satisfactory fruiting. It is a remarkably decorative flowering in spring, and particularly attractive to bees and nectar-feeding insects. A hardy tree that can withstand temperatures around -20 °C, it is suitable for cultivation in all regions of France, including at higher altitudes.  This cherry tree is said to be self-fertile, with flowers that can self-pollinate, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety of cherry tree nearby will increase production.

The Prunus avium Stella offers a bountiful harvest and a relatively quick fruiting, around 3 to 4 years, with fruit production becoming optimal after 5 to 6 years. An adult cherry tree (between 8 and 15 years old) can produce up to 50 kilograms of fruit per year. The fruit is attached to the branch by a short stalk, 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) long. Harvesting begins in late June and continues until the end of July. It is important to only pick the fruits when they are ripe, as they do not ripen further, and with their peduncles to ensure good storage. Cherries are quite fragile, so harvesting is done with a picking pole or manually with a ladder, but always with delicacy. Very juicy and sweet, this cherry is delicious when eaten raw. In cooking, it reveals all its flavors in the making of clafoutis, cakes, crumbles or pies, fruit salads, and as an accompaniment to savory dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, duck, etc.). They are also perfect for making jams, preserved fruits in syrup, and preserves.

Its content of vitamins A, C, and E, phenolic antioxidants, calcium, and copper, with a significant supply of iron, its richness in trace elements and fibers, make cherries a health asset. The fruits can only be stored for a few days in a cool place or in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen once washed, dried, stemmed, and pitted.

Very popular, the cherry tree finds its place in the garden, planted on a lawn, in an orchard, or in an edible hedge. For the pleasure of young and old, among a wide range of cherry trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits one's desires.