Morello cherry trees are a classic choice for any home orchard. Their tart, wine-red cherries have been prized for baking and culinary uses for centuries. Luckily, it’s easier than ever for backyard gardeners to get their hands on these heirloom fruit trees. Whether you’re looking for a container specimen or a full-sized tree, there are morello cherry trees available to suit any space.
A Bit About Morello Cherry Trees
Morello cherries are a sour cherry variety that dates back to ancient Rome. They have deep crimson flesh and juicy, bright red juice. The fruit is smaller than some other tart cherry varieties like Montmorency. But what morello cherries lack in size, they make up for in flavor. Their rich, winy taste makes them perfect for pies, jams, juices and more.
In addition to their legendary fruit, morello cherry trees have a few other desirable characteristics. They are self-fertile so you only need one tree to get a harvest. Morello cherries also ripen later in summer than most sweet cherry varieties. This extends the cherry season in your yard. Finally morello cherry trees have lower chill requirements than other sour cherry trees. They only need around 400-500 chill hours to fruit well.
Choosing a Morello Cherry Tree
If you’ve decided to add a morello cherry tree (or two) to your backyard, you’ll next need to decide which type of tree to purchase. Morello cherry trees are available as standards, dwarfs or even mini-dwarfs. This gives you options for any sized space. Here’s a quick run down of what’s available:
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Standard trees reach 15-20 feet at maturity. They require the most space but produce massive harvests.
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Dwarf trees reach 8-12 feet tall. They are a great choice if you have a smaller yard but still want a good crop.
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Mini-dwarf trees only grow to 4-6 feet tall. They can even thrive in large containers. While they won’t produce bushels of fruit, mini-dwarfs are perfect for tiny yards.
The rootstock also affects the tree’s mature size. Morello cherry trees are commonly grafted onto Colt, Gisela or Mahaleb rootstocks. Gisela rootstocks produce the smallest trees Colt is intermediate in size, while Mahaleb produces the largest trees Pay attention to the rootstock when choosing your tree to ensure it will suit your needs.
Where to Buy Morello Cherry Trees
Morello cherry trees were once hard to find. But thanks to the growth of online mail order nurseries, it’s now easy to get your hands on this heirloom fruit tree. Here are some top options:
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Raintree Nursery – This Pacific Northwest nursery sells morello cherries in dwarf and mini-dwarf sizes. Their trees are shipped bare-root in spring.
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Trees of Antiquity – Located in California, this nursery offers Morello cherry trees on a semi-dwarf rootstock. They ship potted trees year round.
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Stark Bro’s – This Missouri-based company sells dwarf Morello cherry trees through their mail order catalog.
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Local nurseries – Don’t forget to check independent garden centers in your area. Some may carry hard-to-find varieties like Morello cherries.
Wherever you choose to purchase from, be sure to order early. Rare fruit trees like morello cherries often sell out quickly each year.
Growing Your Own Morello Cherries
Once you’ve picked out the perfect morello cherry tree, it’s time to get it in the ground! Here are some tips for successfully growing morello cherries:
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Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours per day). Morello cherries need plenty of sunlight to thrive.
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Choose a spot with well-draining soil. These trees don’t tolerate wet feet.
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Space standard trees at least 20 feet apart. Allow 10-15 feet between dwarf trees.
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Water regularly during the first year. Help the tree establish a healthy root system.
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Fertilize each spring using a balanced organic fertilizer. Morello cherries aren’t too hungry.
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Prune to an open vase shape. This allows light and air circulation.
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Harvest fruit when fully ripe. Morello cherries won’t get any sweeter off the tree.
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Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Morello cherries are perfect for baking, canning and eating fresh.
With their outstanding flavor and versatility, it’s no wonder morello cherry trees have been treasured for so long. Adding one of these heirloom fruits to your yard is a great way enjoy a piece of history. Not only will you get to experience Morello’s legendary taste, you’ll be growing the same cherries favored by generations of bakers and preserve-makers. A morello cherry tree certainly earns its keep in any home orchard.
Available for PICKUP ONLY
SELF FERTILE Dark red pie cherry, red juice. Complex flavor. Highly productive, excellent quality fruit. Ripens in late July.
- Between February and late November, you can pick up cherry trees.
- Hardy to Zone 5
- Some cherry varieties need pollinators. Check out our Cherry Growing Tips and Rootstock and Pollination Information Page to learn more about how to grow cherries in the maritime Pacific Northwest.
| Weight | 1.0000 lbs |
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Please note- We do not ship any of our products for sale. All sales must be picked up at the Nursery. Dismiss.
Morello Cherry Trees
FAQ
Are Morello cherries grown in the US?
Is morello cherry the same as sour cherry?
Are Morello cherries edible?
Are morello cherries the same as tart cherries?
Is English morello a sour cherry tree?
The English Morello cherry tree, Prunus cerasus ‘English Morello, is a variety of sour cherry tree that grows well in the United States. It’s a late-blooming tree and is high-producing, growing clusters of deep red fruit that ripen in mid-summer. Its fruit is sour, making it ideal for cooked applications like jams and jellies.
What does an English morello cherry tree look like?
The English Morello cherry trees produce a dark red fruit and juice as well. English Morello cherry is naturally a small tree with drooping branches, typically reaching up to 12 to 15 feet tall and wide, with a rounded crown and a dense canopy.
Are morello cherry trees edible?
The English Morello cherry tree is a popular tree in the UK for making jams and jellies and also grows well in the United States. This late-blooming tree is high-producing, forming clusters of dark red fruit which are edible to humans, as well as birds and other small animals.
Is a Morello a cherry tree?
The existence of the “Crown Morello” is a total mystery. It is a Morello in all but name yet it grows larger than the normal variety which can be unsuitable for most small to medium sized gardens. If you want a cooking cherry tree, our advice is to stick with the Morello.
What are the different types of morello cherries?
Both of these cherry families are highly sought after by cooks all around the world. These aren’t the only types of Morello cherries, however. You’ll also find Balaton, Heimanns Konservenweishsel, Fanal, Kansas Sweet, Krassa Severa, Koroser Langenstein, Northstar, and Schattenmorelle cherries in the Morello family.
Where did morello cherry trees come from?
English Morello cherry trees were first introduced to the United States in the mid-1800s. Though it originated in England/Europe, its exact origins are obscure. It is, however, part of the classification of ‘sour cherry’ trees, which are native to much of Southwest Asia and Europe.