Item Number: FT085
Black Tartarian Cherry Tree
Rich flavor, deep heritage
The semi dwarf Black Tartarian cherry tree, also known as the Large Black Heart, is a prized heirloom variety renowned for its dark sweet fruit and vigorous growth. Introduced to the West in the late 1700s, this heritage cultivar produces purplish black cherries with juicy, dark red flesh and a sprightly, full-bodied flavor—perfect for fresh eating, preserves, or juice. Ideal for USDA zones 5–9, the tree thrives in drained soil, enjoys full sun, and offers one of the earliest cherry harvests of the season.
Like all premium fruit trees, proper planting, watering, and pruning will ensure a healthy tree and an abundant harvest for years to come.
Key Features
- Fruit: Medium-sized, heart-shaped cherries; dark red to nearly black skin with rich, juicy flesh
- Flavor: Bold, sweet, and slightly tart—preferred by many over the Bing cherry
- Type: Semi dwarf on Maxma rootstock—perfect for smaller spaces or home orchards
- Chill Hours: Requires 800–900 chill hours for optimal yield
- Harvest Time: Early season—typically from May 10 to May 30
Pollination & Cross Compatibility
- The Black Tartarian cherry tree is not self-pollinating and requires cross pollination with other sweet cherry trees
- Excellent pollinizer for other cherry varieties like Bing or Craig’s Crimson
- For best fruit set, refer to a reliable Black Tartarian cherry tree pollination chart when choosing companions
Growing & Care Guidelines
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH
- Sunlight: Full sun exposure is essential for strong growth and fruiting
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during the first 2–3 years—avoid overwatering
- Fertilization: Apply balanced organic fertilizer in early spring to encourage growth and fruit production
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove deadwood and improve airflow—key for preventing diseases like bacterial canker
Historical Significance & Uses
- A historically significant cultivar, the Prunus avium Black Tartarian may be a parent of the Black Republican cherry
- Once the leading commercial sweet cherry in the U.S., this Tartarian cherry tree remains a classic among old-world cherry trees
- Excellent for fresh eating, juicing, baking, and making preserves
Why Buy From Us?
Our bare root tree selection includes only high-quality, disease-resistant stock suitable for both small gardens and large orchards. The Black Tartarian cherry is a must-have for growers seeking early season, dark sweet cherries with rich history, bold flavor, and dependable pollination performance.
Explore our full range of bare root cherry trees to find the perfect match for your landscape or orchard.
Visit our Fruit Tree Central for a listing of all our fruit tree videos and articles.
Visit Tree Characteristics for a listing of all our fruit & nut tree growing characteristics.
Check Your Zone Compatibility:
Our Guarantee To You
Since 1976, we've served our customers at every stage of growing. Please contact us at any time. We are happy to support and assist you.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI
Shipping Weight: 5.0 lb
Dimensions: 47.5"L x 7.3"W x 2.75"H
Features
Features
- Bare Root
- Suited to Cold Climates
Characteristics
Characteristics
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Useful Information
Useful Information
Guarantee
Guarantee
Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee
* Claim deadline is June 15th
We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com. We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.
If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.
Important Dates:
- April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
- May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
- June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit
All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below
Terms and Conditions
We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.).
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants.
If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.
Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot.
Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee.
Instructions
We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:
Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft.
Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees
If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.
Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees
If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th. Incomplete submissions will be denied.
Required Documentation
- Order number
- Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
- Photos of each tree or plant showing:
- The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
- The scratch test areas
- The entire tree/plant
We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.
