The Cherry tree bigarreau Napoléon yields sweet, crisp, yellow-red fruits. A robust, productive choice for sunny gardens or traditional home orchards.
Description
The Cherry tree bigarreau Napoléon is a vigorous fruit tree producing large, two-toned cherries: pale yellow blushed with red. Known for its firm, sweet flesh, it’s ideal for both orchards and gardens.
Geographical origin: Europe, mainly France (19th century)
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Notable features: This heirloom cultivar was named after Emperor Napoleon I. Historically valued for brandy, jam and desserts due to its firm texture.
Mature height: 3 to 4 metres
Mature spread: 2 to 3 metres
Habit: Upright, becomes rounded with age
Bark: Smooth reddish-brown, peeling with age
Foliage: Deciduous, glossy green, golden-yellow in autumn
Growth: Moderate to fast
Hardiness: Hardy down to -20°C
Flowering time: April
Flower description: White clusters, bee-friendly
Fruit: Large cherries, yellow with red blush, firm and sweet. Ripens in June–July. Needs a pollinator like Hedelfingen, burlat or Van.
Wildlife interest: Nectar-rich, attracts bees
Ideal light: Full sun, sheltered from cold winds
Soil type: Deep, well-drained, neutral to slightly calcareous
Soil preparation tips: Loosen soil and add compost
Spacing between plants: 6 to 8 metres
Soil nature: Neutral, slightly calcareous, well-drained
Water needs when planting: Regular during first 2 years
Water needs when mature: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
When and how to prune: Formative pruning when young, then lightly prune after harvest to maintain structure. Avoid heavy cuts.
Possible methods: Grafting onto wild cherry or prunus colt
Best placement: Orchard, large garden, fruit hedge
Recommended companions: Apple trees, pear trees, plum trees; marigold, borage
Historic or cultural usage: Consumed fresh, in preserves or brandy. Wood prized in cabinetmaking.
Vulnerabilities: Brown rot, bacterial canker, aphids
Natural prevention: Horsetail decoction, good air circulation, mulch
Tips for best development: Sunny location, light pruning, companion planting, organic mulch
The ‘Bigarreau Napoléon’ stands out for its crisp, sweet, two-tone fruits, early harvest and reliable productivity. Less prone to cracking than many cherries.
→ This Cherry tree Napoleon is grafted low-stem onto a Prunus Colt rootstock
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The Cherry tree bigarreau Napoléon yields sweet, crisp, yellow-red fruits. A robust, productive choice for sunny gardens or traditional home orchards.
