Five Best Stone Fruits For SoCal- #3

Don't you just love perfect timing? There is a lot to be said for it. Some of my friend's say the "stars all perfectly aligned" and the timing is perfect. My own sense of it is thousands of years old; King David said "our steps are ordered by God, and He directs our paths." My number three choice among stone fruits comes at no better possible moment because the fruits of this tree are just now ripening. In fact, as I write I think I will sample one. (Be back shortly)

Mmmmmmm, so pleasing to the eye. So juicy, texture is just right, flavor is rich and sweet. You will like this one; that is, as long as you like cherries. If you do like cherries, and live in SoCal, your cherry consumption has been solely of fruits imported from cold weather regions...until now. One small caveat about my #3 choice, and your ability to grow cherries in coastal southern California. Number three is a two-fer. You can most definitely grow cherries here, but you must have two trees.

My number three choice for stone fruits is (are)....drum roll please...

Minnie Royal/ Royal Lee cherry

It has never been possible to grow cherries in southern California before; at least in "coastal" Socal. There is an area near Beaumont at the base of the San Bernardino mountains called Cherry Valley famous for its _________________. Go ahead, you fill in the blank. This reminds me of the old Groucho show, "who is buried in Grant's tomb?" Yes cherries have been grown in southern California, but in a place that gets quite a bit of cold air drainage and colder nights than most of us care for. But if you live in Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, North Park, or other frost free areas you had no options for growing your own cherries until now.

Three of my top five stone fruit choices for your garden are the legacy of my fruit tree hero, Floyd Zaiger. Minnie Royal and Royal Lee are Floyd Zaiger hybrids. We are so fortunate to have Floyd's genius at work for us. It is now possible to pick your own cherries from your own trees, even if you live near the beach. The reason I indicate both trees is: both trees require a pollinator, and that pollinator is each other. If your garden is tight on space, you could even plant them in the same hole.

Yes, if you are tight on space, you can plant multiple trees in the same planting hole. You can also plant trees as hedge rows; what a great way to utilize side yards in our minuscule and pricey SoCal home lots. Many trees can also be espaliered in tight spots against walls and fences. Be creative about the use of your very expensive postage stamp of land. Often, when creative breeding takes place to make the impossible happen, there are a lot of misfires and trade-offs. Sure, you can grow something never grown here before, but it won't taste good. This is not the case with Minnie Royal, and Royal Lee. These are very tasty cherries. These rival anything being sent here from Washington or Colorado. I have a pair, and they are doing quite well, and just beginning to give fruit. I also have clients growing these successfully in Encinitas, Bay Park, Clairemont, La Jolla, Poway, and Fairbanks Ranch. All of the trees are young specimens; these are relatively new introductions to the market. I predict these trees will only continue to improve.

My reasons for recommending Minnie Royal and Royal Lee to you:

1) Remarkably low chill requirements. The listed chill hours are 250-300 hours, but practical back yard and commercial orchard experience suggests chill hours needed might actually be as low as 150.

2) Aesthetically pleasing trees. Cherry tree festivals in Japan and Washington D.C. draw crowds from around the world because of the glorious display of cherry blossoms in the spring. How would you like that in your own garden? The foliage, and even the bark of cherry trees is beautiful.

3) Both trees are precocious.They begin bearing at an early age, and every indicator is, they will bear heavily.

4) Easy to grow, and very vigorous.

5) Very high quality fruit. These cherries have eye appeal, are large, and best of all, Deeeelicious.


Plant a couple of the trees and make yourself, your family, and friends very happy. Have a slice of cherry pie for me.