Prunus avium Büttners Rote Knorpelkirsche- Cherry Tree

Prunus avium 'Büttners Rote Knorpelkirsche' is a historical variety of Cherry tree appreciated for over two centuries for its sweet cherries with a surprising watermelon aroma. Forming a medium-sized tree with a pyramidal habit, this Cherry tree is easy to grow, thriving in slightly moist soils in sunny locations. Not self-fertile, it requires the presence of another variety to pollinate it.

The Cherry tree belongs to the extensive Rosaceae family, rich in about 5000 species, including most temperate climate fruit trees (Apple tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree...), numerous ornamental plants, and wild plants from the countryside and forests. Prunus avium, the Latin name for the Wild Cherry tree or Gean, is likely native to Anatolia and the Caucasus, and was early on cultivated and spread by humans. In nature, it forms a large tree easily exceeding 20 m in height, with rapid growth (15 m in 20 years). it is found in the woods of plains, hills, and even mountainous areas, preferring fertile and moist soils.
'Büttners Rote Knorpelkirsche' is a very old variety, discovered in 1795 in northern Germany near the town of Halle by Carl Gottlieb Büttner, hence its name that can be translated as Büttner's red cartilage cherry. In the early 2000s, it was renamed 'Altenburger Melonenkirsche', literally "Altenburg melon cherry" (a town in eastern Germany), due to the particularly unique taste of its fruits. This Cherry tree forms a medium-sized tree, reaching 5 to 6 m in height and 4 to 5 m in spread, with relatively fast growth (40 to 60 cm per year). It has a conical to pyramidal habit, with a slightly rounded crown at the top. Its foliage is typical, composed of elongated elliptical, finely toothed, medium green leaves. In April or May, in colder regions, it produces beautiful white, simple flowers with rounded petals incapable of self-pollination (self-sterile). To achieve cross-fertilisation, and thus eventually a harvest, it is necessary to plant a nearby pollinating variety, such as 'Hedelfingen', 'Regina', 'Kordia', 'Stella', 'Van', 'Schneiders späte Knorpelkirsche', 'Große schwarze Knorpelkirsche', 'Kassins Frühe', or 'Burlat'. Once pollinated by the pollen of the other variety, the flowers develop into large yellow fruits that redden on their sun-exposed side. the large, heart-shaped cherries are shiny and carried by 5 cm peduncles. They can be harvested from late June (depending on the climatic zone), their moderately juicy yellow flesh is very sweet, with a slight hint of acidity, and notably with a small watermelon aroma that sets it apart from other varieties. The flesh adheres fairly firmly to the stone, but the almost colourless juice allows it to be enjoyed without risk of staining. Excellent fresh, it can also be preserved. The production is abundant and regular year after year, explaining the success of this variety throughout the ages.

Very hardy and able to thrive even at high altitudes, Cherry tree 'Büttners Rote Knorpelkirsche' deserves its place in the garden, planted alone on a lawn to facilitate picking, and can be the starting point of a small orchard. In a continental climate, plant alongside it a 'Mirabelle de Nancy' which will take over from August to offer you delicious small yellow plums. If space is limited, consider fruit shrubs, such as Raspberry bushes whose delicate and refined fruits only have a few metres to travel to your table. Redcurrant bushes are also real treats, easy to grow and beloved by children. And if you appreciate originality and ancient fruits, why not plant a Medlar tree (Mespilus germanica) whose fruits, which must undergo frost before consumption, will extend the harvesting period of your orchard.