Prunus avium Bigarreau Sunburst - Cherry Tree

The Cherry Tree 'Sunburst' is a semi-late, self-fertile and highly productive variety that produces very large, bright red fruits with a slight tiger pattern, with tender, juicy and fragrant flesh and moderately sweet but not very acidic flavor! It quickly bears fruit, with flowering occurring from late March to late April and harvest taking place in June-July. These cherries are of good taste quality but do not keep well, making them ideal for eating fresh. It is a fast-growing, moderately vigorous and small-sized cherry tree that is suitable for planting in isolation in a small garden or even in a large pot on a terrace, in well-drained, fresh soil, in a sunny location. Fruiting starts at 3 years of age. It is also a beautiful ornamental tree with its springtime flowering in a profusion of cup-shaped white flowers and its deciduous foliage that turns yellow in autumn. 

It is a free variety resulting from the cross-breeding of Van x Stella, obtained at the Summerland station in Canada. The Cherry Tree 'Sunburst' produces very large fruits measuring 2.7 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, weighing 9 to 11 g, with tender, juicy and very tasty flesh. Their firmness decreases in rainy or hot conditions. The cherries have a shiny skin of bright red to orange-red color, sometimes with a tiger pattern. Taste them right 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.

The 'Sunburst' variety is a variety with medium vigor and a semi-erect habit, reaching a height and width of 4 m (13ft) at maturity. From late March to late April, the Cherry Tree 'Sunburst' is covered with small white flowers that appear before the foliage. This variety is self-fertile and also serves as a good pollinator for other varieties. The 'Sunburst' variety is harvested in June-July. The harvest may be more or less abundant depending on the year and may exhibit an alternate bearing phenomenon, allowing the tree to replenish its reserves. Fruit production becomes optimal after 6 to 7 years. The cherries should be picked just before ripeness when they are light red as they do not keep well. 

The Cherry Tree (Prunus avium) belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of 5 to 10 m (16 to 33ft) at maturity. It is hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F), while the flowers are vulnerable to spring frosts and are damaged at -2°C (28.4°F). 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 russet color in autumn before falling. Suitable for all regions of France, the Cherry Tree can be planted on a lawn, at the back of a flowerbed or in an orchard.