Black Tartarian

Black Tartarian is an old sweet cherry of Russian origin, cultivated in Europe since at least the 1700s and long grown in North America as one of the earliest-ripening dark cherries. The medium-sized fruits are purplish-black with soft, juicy, richly flavored dark flesh and an intense, sweet cherry taste that makes them a favorite for fresh eating straight from the tree. Because the fruit is soft it does not ship or store well, so it is mainly a home-garden and local cherry. Black Tartarian is self-unfruitful and needs a pollinizer, and it is also a good early pollinizer for other varieties. The tree is vigorous and upright. Its early harvest and superb flavor keep this heirloom popular with home growers.