Prunus avium Regina- Cherry Tree

The 'Regina' cherry is a variety of cherry tree from the bigarreau group known for its dark purple-red, sweet, tasty fruits, resistant to splitting and with good keeping quality. Developed in Germany in 1981, this late variety produces sweet and slightly acidic cherries, perfect for fresh consumption. They are harvested in July. With a late flowering in April, this cherry tree is particularly suited to northern and mid-altitude climates.

Prunus avium 'Regina' belongs to the Rosaceae family. This variety originates from Germany. Developed in 1981 at the York Station, it is widely grown in Belgium and Germany. This vigorous fruit tree reaches a height of 4 to 6 m and has a semi-erect habit. It grows rapidly with a fairly quick fruiting for a cherry tree. Its white flowers appear in April, about 5 to 10 days after the variety 'Bigarreau Burlat'. Pollinated by insects, they give rise to heart-shaped, elongated fruits with thick, shiny dark purple skin. The medium to large cherries (24 to 28 mm), weighing 8 to 9.5 grams, are firm, sweet, slightly acidic, and carried by a long stalk. They keep for approximately a week. Their taste quality is good and their flesh is very sweet with very little acidity. They are moderately juicy, even poor in juice in hot conditions. Fruit firmness and keeping quality are disappointing in high temperatures.

This 'Regina' cherry tree is said to be self-sterile or self-incompatible, as the flowers cannot self-pollinate. Hence, the presence of other cherry tree varieties nearby, flowering at the same time, is necessary. For instance, the varieties Summit and 'Noir de Meched'.

Prunus avium belongs to the Rosaceae family, like the Sour Cherry Tree (Prunus cerasus). Also known as Wild Cherry or Bird Cherry, it originates from Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, and has been present in Europe since the Neolithic period (polished stone age). 

The 'Regina' cherry harvest starts around late June and extends into July, about 30 to 35 days after the 'Burlat' cherries. It is important to pick the fruits when ripe, as they do not ripen further, and with their stems to ensure good preservation. Due to their fragility, cherries should be carefully harvested with a picking pole or manually on a ladder. This very sweet cherry is delicious when eaten fresh. In cooking, it reveals all its flavours in clafoutis, cakes, crumbles or pies, fruit salads, and as an accompaniment to savoury dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, duck...). Perfect also for making jams, fruit in syrup, or preserves.

With its content of vitamins A, C and E, phenolic antioxidants, calcium and copper, with a significant iron intake, its richness in trace elements and fibres, cherries are a healthy choice. The fruits only keep for a few days in a cool place or in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen once washed, dried, stemmed, and pitted.

The cherry tree is very popular and finds a place in the garden, planted on a lawn, in an orchard, or within a large fruit hedge. Among our wide range of cherry trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits one's desires.