Black Tartarian Cherry
Prunus avium 'Black Tartarian'
fruitBlack Tartarian is a heritage sweet cherry introduced from Russia in the late 1700s, prized for its purplish-black skin, juicy dark red flesh, and sprightly full-bodied flavor with hints of caramel and honey. The tree ripens early - from late May in warm regions into June farther north - and is one of the first cherries of the season, making it a sentimental favorite in heirloom orchards.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~3 yrs
to first harvest
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Difficulty
medium
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
15-20 ft (semi-dwarf)
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Planting Depth
Graft union 1-2 in above soil
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 8
When to Fertilize
Early spring before bud break
Fertilizer
Compost; light 10-10-10 if growth is weak
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant in full sun on well-drained soil in zones 5 to 8. Set the graft union just above the soil line. Black Tartarian is not self-fertile; pair with Bing, Stella, or any sweet cherry that blooms in the same window. Needs 700 to 800 chill hours for reliable fruit set. Train to an open vase, prune in summer (not winter) in black-knot regions, and thin clusters to allow each fruit room to size up.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jun 4 · Year 4
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Chives — Discourages aphids and may help suppress brown rot
- Daffodils — Deters voles and rabbits around the trunk
- Comfrey — Mineral-mining chop-and-drop mulch
- Yarrow — Hosts parasitic wasps that hunt cherry fruit fly
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Yellow sticky traps in June; spinosad as adults emerge; remove dropped fruit
Prune for airflow, remove mummies in dormant season, harvest fruit promptly
Cut out swollen black galls 4 in below knots in dormant season; burn off-site
Drape lightweight netting over the canopy 2 weeks before ripening
🌾 Harvest & storage
Black Tartarian ripens from late May into June depending on region, one of the earliest sweet cherries. Pick when the fruit is deep purple-black and the stem comes off cleanly with a gentle tug. Net the tree as soon as the fruit blushes; birds know the variety is early and will strip ripe trees in hours. The variety is sweet eaten out of hand, exceptional in jams and pies, and freezes well after pitting.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 63 calories per 100 g with 2.1 g fiber, 7 mg vitamin C, and 222 mg potassium. Sweet cherries are particularly rich in anthocyanins and melatonin (more than most other fruits), which research has linked to improved sleep and reduced inflammation.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Eat the flesh, not the pit. The kernel inside the pit contains amygdalin, a cyanide-releasing compound - discard the pits and never eat or crush the seeds inside.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.