{"title":"Best Cherries for Juice","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 6 varieties in our catalog that scored 8 or higher out of 10 for juice, nectar, syrup and sweet cider. Scored on yield, balance of sugar to acid, and whether the color holds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 8 is Very good on the adapted Beach (1905) grade, a 9 is Very good to best and a 10 is Best. Varieties that scored 6 or 7 are genuinely good at this too, and you will find them under the matching Shop by Use group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery score in this list is sourced. Nothing is here because it is popular, and nothing is here on our word alone. The full evidence, including what each variety scored for every other use and why, is in the use guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chokecherry-bundle-of-5","title":"Chokecherry (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis Montana native tree is one of our favorites. From its uniquely cone-like white flowers in the spring (which attract tons of pollinators) to its berries—important both for wildlife and in the kitchen—Chokecherry is a must-have for any cold-climate fruit grower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOur favorite way to use the berries is for chokecherry syrup, since they’re a bit astringent when eaten fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eTough and Hardy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to zone 2—possibly even surviving temps in the -50s°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e2nd photo courtesy of Matt Lavin.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions — state quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eEffective September 2025, Alaska issued a statewide quarantine order prohibiting the importation, transport, and sale of chokecherry (\u003cem\u003ePrunus virginiana\u003c\/em\u003e) and mayday tree (\u003cem\u003ePrunus padus\u003c\/em\u003e). We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Alaska\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease also note:\u003c\/strong\u003e chokecherry is a host for X-disease (Western X phytoplasma). Michigan restricts planting chokecherry within 500 feet of a peach or cherry orchard and within 1,000 feet of nursery stock. If you live near commercial stone-fruit production, check local siting rules before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535318650946,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chokecherry-fruit-on-branch.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"danube-cherry","title":"Danube Tart Cherry","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eDanube Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOne of Hungary’s favorites, this self-fertile tart cherry is one of our hardiest (ever so slightly less hardy than Meteor, though). For those in the colder half of zone 3 (zone 3a) who don’t want to risk it with Gold cherry, go with Danube. Its tartness isn’t as strong as Montmorency’s, as the juicy, glossy dark-red fruits have a bursting sweet-tart flavor. With a spreading growth habit, Danube cherries are very heavy-bearing and make for better quality pies than Montmorency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSpring 2027 Availability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Danube on two rootstocks. Our Mahaleb semi-standard trees are one year older and come in 1-2 ft., 2-3 ft. and 3-4 ft. sizes. We also have Danube on Mazzard full size in a larger, more branched 5-7 ft. grade (pruned to 5 ft. for shipping).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Gina Dittmer under CC 2.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 1-2 ft. (1 year older)","offer_id":42499009806402,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 2-3 ft. (1 year older)","offer_id":42499009839170,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 3-4 ft. (1 year older)","offer_id":42499009871938,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539751899202,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/danube-tart-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789019844"},{"product_id":"montmorency-tart-cherry","title":"Montmorency Tart Cherry","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"4953\" data-end=\"4967\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4968\" data-end=\"5348\"\u003eOne of the most famous tart cherries and most widely grown in the US, Montmorency is thought to have originated in the Montmorency Valley just north of Paris, where it was named after a noble family that had grown it since the 13th century. French settlers moving up the St. Lawrence River Valley toward the Great Lakes brought it to the New World around 1760, or perhaps earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5350\" data-end=\"5901\"\u003eAlthough the literature on Montmorency does not indicate why Montmorency was imported from Europe over other cultivars, we suspect it was because of its cold hardiness. Given how much more temperate Europe is generally speaking than Canada, around the Great Lakes, and other northern areas where Montmorency was first grown, it is likely that many of the other tart cherry cultivars did not survive harsher winters. Meanwhile, we have seen Montmorency growing in cuspy zone 3\/4 areas. Still not as hardy as meteor, and certainly not as hardy as Evan's Bali or the dwarf cherries, though, for Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5903\" data-end=\"5923\"\u003eFlavor and Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"6249\"\u003eThe Montmorency fruit sweetens as it ripens, but remains fairly tart for most people to eat out of hand. However, its flavor and tartness makes for spectacular dried cherries. Plant in conjunction with Danube, which is less tart (albeit still a tart cherry), and complements the Montmorency in terms of uses. Hardy to zone 3\/4, or roughly -35F (possibly -40F in protected sites).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42500893442114,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500893474882,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/montmorency-tart-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789020640"},{"product_id":"nanking-cherry-sszj3","title":"Nanking Cherry (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of our all-time favorites, Nanking cherry is a must-have in any edible landscape. Hardy down to Zone 2, this small tree\/large shrub produces excellent-tasting cherries—not quite tart, not quite sweet. They’ve got a flavor all their own and are great for fresh eating, but also shine when used for juicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEarly Harvest \u0026amp; Long Hanging Fruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the first fruits to come on in the summer, Nankings stay on the tree for a long time, giving you a nice, extended harvest window throughout the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEasy Maintenance \u0026amp; Long-Term Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do require renewal pruning to maintain vigor and prevent disease—usually around 10 years after planting. Hopefully by then we’ll have a video up showing what that process looks like!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to Zone 2 (-40°F or more).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShrubs are 2-3 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535097139266,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nanking-cherry-fruit-on-bush.webp?v=1789020641"},{"product_id":"romeo-dwarf-cherry","title":"Romeo Dwarf Cherry (Bundle of 2)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is a Romance Series dwarf sour cherry from the University of Saskatchewan, bred for extreme cold hardiness and high-quality, dark fruit on a compact, shrub-form plant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo was officially released in 2004 as part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Romance Series of dwarf sour cherries. (\u003ca title=\"Sour Cherries - USask Fruit Program | University of Saskatchewan\" href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/fruit\/Fruit%20crops\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eusask\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003eThese Romance Series cherries are interspecific hybrids derived from \u003cem\u003ePrunus cerasus\u003c\/em\u003e (sour cherry) and \u003cem\u003ePrunus fruticosa\u003c\/em\u003e (dwarf\/cherry steppe types), commonly referred to as \u003cem\u003ePrunus × kerrasis\u003c\/em\u003e in cold-climate literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo produces deep red fruit that can ripen very dark and is slightly sweeter than some other bush cherry types. Good for fresh eating and can be used in pies, jellies, and pressed for juice. Never dried them but I'm sure they would be good.\u003cbr\u003eThey have relatively high soluble solids and are sweeter than most pie cherries, although do not listen to what some places say online which claim these are sweet cherries. They are not. They are sweeter for a tart cherry but they are still very much have a good deal of acidity. That said, children tend to love them fresh, which says a lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is grown as a compact shrub-form plant (not a standard cherry tree), and cold-climate guidance warns that training these as a single-trunk “tree form” can reduce hardiness in very cold settings (this has not been a problem here in Western MT, although people in colder parts of Eastern MT should take note of this).\u003cbr\u003eFor spacing, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gardening.usask.ca\/gardening-advice\/gardenline-nested-pages\/food-plant-pages\/fruit\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eUniversity of Saskatchewan gardening guidance\u003c\/a\u003e recommends dwarf sour cherries be spaced about 5–7 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo (like the other Romance Series bush cherries) is self-fertile, but fruit set can increase when you plant a second compatible bush cherry type nearby. Any of our other dwarf cherries we offer can cross with Romeo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomeo is repeatedly positioned in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/fruit\/Fruit%20crops\/sour-cherries.php\"\u003eresearch\/extension material\u003c\/a\u003e as a Zone 2–class hardy, and it should be able withstand near -50F temps. Good for the vast majority of growers in MT.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42504520335426,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/romeo-dwarf-cherry-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"balaton-tart-cherry","title":"Balaton Tart Cherry","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew for Spring 2027! These are the best pie cherries we have ever had! \u003c\/strong\u003eBalaton (Újfehértói Fürtös) is a Hungarian dark tart cherry, and it is one of the clonal landrace pie cherries out of Hungary, the same group as Danube and Erde Jubileum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe had grown both Danube and Erde Jubileum and thought highly of them, but we had not tried Balaton until this year. Balaton may take the cake. These cherries have real size and real flavor, and the flesh is a deep burgundy rather than the pale flesh of a Montmorency. They made the best cherry pie we have had, and the best looking one, too. Hardy to zone 3b (to about -35F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFuller description coming soon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45191724171330,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45191724204098,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/BalatonTartCherry.jpg?v=1789173522"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/best-cherries-for-juice.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}