{"product_id":"cherry-sweet-black-pearl-bare-root","title":"Cherry (Sweet), Black Pearl, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Pearl Cherry (\u003cem\u003ePrunus avium\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Pearl is an early sweet cherry from Cornell’s breeding program. Its large, dark fruit and firm texture make it especially useful for fresh eating at the start of cherry season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDark fruit early in the season\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe cherries turn a deep red to nearly black when fully ripe. Let flavor and firmness guide picking rather than taking the entire crop as soon as it first colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFirm flesh for fresh eating\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts substantial texture makes it useful for eating out of hand and handling a home harvest. Refrigerate picked fruit promptly to preserve quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRain tolerance is useful, not absolute\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Pearl was selected in part for improved resistance to rain cracking. It can still split or rot in wet weather, so keep the canopy open and harvest ripe fruit promptly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCross-pollination requires a different compatible cultivar. Options in our 2027 selection include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cherry-sweet-black-tartarian-bare-root\"\u003eBlack Tartarian\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cherry-sweet-van-bare-root\"\u003eVan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cherry-sweet-stella-bare-root\"\u003eStella\u003c\/a\u003e. Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Mature Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for approximately 20–30 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. The offered variant identifies the rootstock; keep the graft union above soil level and remove rootstock suckers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 20–30 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early to mid-season spring; white flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large dark red to nearly black sweet cherries with firm flesh.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, desserts, preserving, and freezing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e May–June; later in cooler regions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e A reliable simple chill-hour figure has not been confirmed for this cultivar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cross-pollination with a compatible cultivar required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 5–8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Cherry Orchard Guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eA good start\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFertility and fruit-tree guilds\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tree-planting-kit\"\u003eTree Planting Kit fertilizer blend\u003c\/a\u003e is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/resources\/transform-your-garden-build-a-fruit-tree-guild-that-practically-grows-itself\"\u003efruit-tree guild guide\u003c\/a\u003e for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003ePractical pest and disease care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrune in dry weather for an open crown and remove damaged or mummified fruit. Monitor for brown rot, leaf spot, aphids, and spotted wing drosophila near ripening; harvest promptly and use fine insect netting where practical. Birds also enjoy cherries, so plan wildlife-safe exclusion before fruit colors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turner and Son Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Bare Root \/ 5-6' \/ Standard Rootstock","offer_id":49843262849283,"sku":"TFT-04167","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Cherry-Sweet-Black-Pearl-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792229115","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/cherry-sweet-black-pearl-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}