Item Number: FT081
Royal Lee Cherry Tree
Early cherries, sweet perfection
Royal Lee Cherry Trees are celebrated for their exceptional flavor and beauty, producing medium to large, heart-shaped cherries with a glossy red skin. The fruit has a firm texture and a perfectly balanced sweetness, making it ideal for fresh eating, baking, and canning. One of the earliest cherry varieties to ripen, Royal Lee cherries are ready to harvest in late spring to early summer, offering a delightful start to the cherry season. This tree is not self-fruitful and requires a pollinator, such as Minnie Royal or Bing, to ensure an abundant harvest. Thriving in full sun with well-draining soil, Royal Lee cherry trees are particularly well-suited to regions with mild winters, as they require low to moderate chill hours. Beyond their delicious fruit, these trees are admired for their graceful spring blossoms and manageable size, making them a perfect addition to home orchards or backyard gardens. Reliable, productive, and visually stunning, the Royal Lee cherry tree brings both beauty and flavor to any landscape.
Semi-dwarf on Maxma rootstock.
- Zones: 8-10
- Chill hours: 200-300
- Bloom Time: Early (Based on typical Central Valley California weather)
- Harvest: May 11 - June 1
- Looks: Medium large, dark red, heart-shaped cherry.
- Personality: Firm with excellent flavor.
- Facts of note: Low chill hours required. One of the earliest sweet cherries. One of the first true low-chill cherries. Very productive tree. Perfect to be paired with Minnie Royal. Zaiger patent.
- Pollination: Pollinated by Minnie Royal.
Royal Lee Cherry Tree: A Fruitful Delight
The Royal Lee Cherry tree is a remarkable fruit-bearing tree known for its delectable cherries and exceptional characteristics. This semi-dwarf cherry tree variety has captured the hearts of fruit enthusiasts and gardeners alike due to its unique taste, appearance, and distinct qualities that set it apart from other cherry tree varieties.
Fruit Flavor and Taste
One of the most appealing features of the Royal Lee Cherry tree is the delightful flavor of its fruit. The cherries produced by this tree are renowned for their sweet and tangy taste, making them a favorite among those with a penchant for fresh, homegrown fruit. The cherries are firm, juicy, and possess a unique balance of sweetness and tartness, creating a symphony of flavors that burst in your mouth with every bite. This exceptional taste makes the Royal Lee Cherry a popular choice for eating fresh, making preserves, or using in a variety of culinary dishes.
Fruit Appearance
The cherries produced by the Royal Lee Cherry tree are equally captivating in terms of their appearance. These cherries are typically medium-sized and exhibit a beautiful deep red to almost black color when ripe. The glossy skin of the fruit gives it an attractive, enticing look that is sure to enthrall anyone who sees it. The cherries grow in clusters, making them easy to harvest, and their uniform shape adds to their overall aesthetic appeal. Whether used as a garnish, in a fruit salad, or enjoyed on their own, the striking appearance of Royal Lee cherries makes them a delightful addition to any garden or orchard.
Distinguishing Characteristics
While there are many cherry tree varieties available, the Royal Lee Cherry tree stands out with its unique characteristics:
Compact Size: As a semi-dwarf tree, the Royal Lee Cherry tree has a more compact size compared to standard cherry trees. This makes it suitable for smaller spaces while still yielding a bountiful harvest.
Low Chill Hours: This cherry variety is well-suited for regions with mild winters, as it has low chill hour requirements. It can thrive in areas where winters are not extremely cold, making it accessible to a wider range of gardeners.
Late-Season Ripening: Royal Lee cherries ripen later in the season, typically in late spring to early summer. This extended harvesting period allows for a longer window to enjoy these delicious cherries and ensures a consistent supply throughout the season.
The Royal Lee Cherry tree is a delightful addition to any garden or orchard. Its sweet and tangy cherries, stunning appearance, and unique characteristics make it a standout choice among cherry tree varieties. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, the Royal Lee Cherry tree's nature and adaptability to various climates make it an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy the pleasures of homegrown cherries. With its delectable fruit and attractive appearance, this cherry tree is sure to bring joy to your garden and your taste buds for years to come.
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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
- Patented Variety
- Suited to Warmer 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.
