Coral Champagne Cherry Tree

Grow Sweet Cherries, Even in Warmer Climates!

The glossy, deep-red Coral Champagne Cherry is the epitome of the sweet, tart summer fruit we know and love. One of the top three cherry varieties produced in California, the sweet, firm fruit needs less than half of the chill hours similar trees require!

Most cherry trees need 700 chill hours – time when the temperatures drop below 45 degrees – to produce fruit. That means that most cherries won’t thrive in warmer places. But the Coral Champagne Cherry is different – it only needs 300 to 400 chill hours, making it a high-yield cherry producer even in mild climates.

The Coral Champagne Cherry is comparable to the Bing in its large size, low acid content, and tartness. Sweet cherries like the Coral Champagne are ideal for baking in breads or pies, as well as for transforming into sauces. A great source of antioxidants, they’re also tasty enough to eat straight from the tree!

The Coral Champagne Cherry is the perfect addition to your backyard cherry orchard! Since it is not self-pollinating, it will need to be partnered with other cherry varieties like the Rainier, the Bing, the Brooks Cherry, or the Black Tartarian.

Plus, In contrast to other cherry trees’ pink flowers, the Coral Champagne produces lovely white blooms in mid-spring, before sprouting its tasty fruit in late May or early June.

Seeking a sweet cherry tree that loves temperate weather? Consider the Coral Champagne Cherry!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: The Coral Champagne Cherry prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Select a location that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day for best results. What’s more, choose an area with well-drained soil.

When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole that’s three times the width of the root ball and just as deep. Plant your tree, back fill the soil, tamp down, and water to settle the roots.

2. Watering: During growing season, if your tree receives at least an inch of rain every 10 days, then no additional irrigation is necessary.

If the season is hot and dry, then you may need to provide additional water. The best way to water is by using a slow-trickling garden hose left at the base of the tree. If you’re not sure when to water, check the soil about two or three inches down. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water.

3. Pruning: A year after planting your Coral Champagne Cherry Tree, prune during winter. Shape the tree to encourage horizontal branch growth with space between branches. Prune once a year to remove weak, drooping branches.

4. Fertilizing: Fertilize in the spring and mid-summer using nitrogen fertilizer, ideally a complete fertilizer like a 10-10-10. Apply fertilizer two weeks after planting and four weeks after the first application or follow your package instructions. When applying, be sure fertilizer is six to eight inches away from the trunk.

Tip: In colder climates, avoid fertilizing after mid-summer to prevent new growth that won’t harden before fall frosts.