Royal Lee is a medium-large red cherry that ripens earlier than almost any other variety, giving gardeners in lower chill zones access to homegrown cherries for the first time. This heart-shaped sweet cherry is very firm with excellent flavor and reaches about 15 feet tall at maturity. Hardy in zones 7-10, it requires just 400 to 500 chill hours, making it one of the easiest cherries to grow in warmer climates where traditional varieties simply won't set fruit.
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Full Sun
Moderate
7-10
192in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Royal Lee ripens 11 to 14 days ahead of Bing cherry, a significant head start that brings fresh cherries to your table in early summer. Its chill requirement sits at least 100 to 300 hours below standard cherry varieties, opening the door for home gardeners in mild climates who thought cherry growing was impossible. The fruit is medium-large, heart-shaped, and notably firm with an excellent flavor that makes it worth the effort of finding compatible pollinizers.
Royal Lee cherries are grown for fresh eating, their early ripening and firm texture making them excellent for harvesting and enjoying fresh from the tree. The fruit's size and quality also suit them for home canning or preserving, though their primary appeal is as a premium fresh fruit for gardeners tired of waiting for late-season cherries.
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Royal Lee ripens in early summer, typically 11 to 14 days ahead of Bing cherry. Pick fruit when fully red and firm to the touch; the cherries should separate easily from the stem when ripe. Harvest during the cool morning hours when possible to maintain firmness and flavor.
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