Bright red, juicy, sour cherry that ripens early. Heavy yields. (Self-pollinating) (zones 4–8)

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Attributes:
Early Richmond is a hardy, heavily producing tree with that ripens a week earlier than other pie cherries. The flavorful, tart, juicy cherries are used for pies and preserves.

Description:
A strong, upright, compact sour cherry tree. Spring white flowers are borne on long pedicels in clusters of 2–4. Sour cherries are less prone to frost, because they are the latest blooming of the stone fruits. The leathery leaves are dark green on top, pale green beneath. It is self fertile and bears without a pollinator in late June. Fruiting begins earlier for sour cherry trees and their productive life is shorter than sweet. A standard cherry tree will produce fruit in 3–5 years. Sour cherries are hardier in cold climates, resistant to drought, and more tolerant of humid rainy conditions than sweet. Prune in late winter or early spring. They are pruned more than sweet cherry trees to stimulate new shoot production. Selective limb thinning may be necessary to maintain adequate light and spur development inside the trees.

Wildlife Value:
The fruit is eaten by many varieties of birds and mammals. The foliage is browsed. Flocks of birds are the greatest threat to the trees. They will eat the cherries at the first sign of ripeness. Nylon or cheesecloth netting draped over the trees as the fruits begin to ripen is an effective deterrent. This technique can be very practical if the trees are kept to a reasonable height by pruning.

History/Lore/Use:
The origin is unknown, but it was planted in England in the early 1500s. It was brought to the United States with the English settlers. The term tart or pie cherry is preferred over sour since this connotes bad flavor.

Height Variations:
The standard grows to 18', and dwarf grows to 8' in height.

Spread Variations:
Standard spread grows to 30' and dwarf grows to a 12'-15' soread.

Moisture:
This tree requires moist, well drained soil and has some resistance to drought.. .

Leaves:
Simple, alternate, elliptic with acute tips, double teeth on margins, smooth and dark green on top, about 3" long. smaller than sweet cherries

Flower Color:
White

Bloom Time:
Late.

Fruit Description:
Bright red medium sized juicy fruit with a thin, light red skin. A generally smooth pit encloses a single seed.