Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) ARTHUR

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) 'Arthur'

The first and most widespread Estonian variety with large, tasty fruits.

'Arthur' (originally 'Kristiina') is the first and one of the most widespread Estonian sweet cherry varieties, valued for its good yield, large fruits, and a good sweet-tart, spicy flavour. It was developed at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre and, thanks to its resilience, has become a cornerstone of cherry cultivation in Estonia. It is a reliable variety with versatile fruit use.

Main advantages of the variety:

• The first and most widespread Estonian variety.
• Large fruits with a good sweet-tart, spicy flavour.
• Good yield and frost resistance.
• Versatile use of fruits (fresh consumption, processing, freezing).
• The stone separates easily from the flesh.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Breeders: Arthur Jaama and Eevi Jaama
• Institution: Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Estonian University of Life Sciences
• Origin: Seedling from open pollination of the ‘Krassavitsa’ variety.
• Name: Originally 'Kristiina', changed to 'Arthur' in 2004 in honour of one of its breeders.
• Registration: In the Estonian recommended assortment since 1988, officially registered as a variety in 2009.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium to vigorous.
• Crown: Regular, globular.
• Pollination: It is cross-pollinated.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large, with an average weight of 4.2 – 6.5 g.
• Shape and colour: Broadly heart-shaped to broadly round, dark red to black-red.
• Flesh: Firm, dark red.
• Flavour: Good sweet-tart, spicy.
• Stone: Easily separable from the flesh.
• Use: Excellent for fresh consumption, also suitable for processing (compotes) and freezing.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Good, but in very harsh or unstable winters, damage to the wood and especially the flower buds may occur.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure a harvest, it is essential to plant a suitable pollinator nearby, for example, the ‘Leningradskaya chernaya’ variety.
• Due to the sensitivity of the flower buds to frost in harsher conditions, it is advisable to choose a sheltered location.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early (on average around July 7th).
• Yield: Good, 8 – 16 kg per tree.