Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry Tree
Prunus avium 'Emperor Francis'
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Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry Tree is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry Tree highlights at a glance!
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Botanical Name
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Brand
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Growing Zones5, 6, 7, 8
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Growth RateModerate
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
-
Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
-
Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Pollinator Required
-
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
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Harvest Time
-
FragrantYes
Characteristics
Where To Plant
When To Prune
- Late Winter
Water & Moisture Needs
- Medium
Sunlight Needs
Soil Needs
- Well Drained
Growing Zones 5-8
Enjoy the incredible flavor people have loved for well over a hundred years with Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium 'Emperor Francis'). Excellent for fresh eating and baking...these large, red-blushed cherries are as sweet as candy, but far healthier!
Kick start the season of fresh fruit with an early bloom and harvest of Emperor Francis. Pollinate them with a sour Montmorency or sweet Whitegold, Blackgold and Sweetheart Cherry trees nearby.
Planting and Application:
Forget about splitting fruit, as top choice Emperor Francis Cherry displays good resistance to cracking. As the harvest turns firm and red, taste test their yellow flesh as the fruit sugars ramp up when fully ripe.
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- The trees are very attractive with glossy, textured leaves and snow-white blooms in spring. Emperor Francis is a lovely choice in an Edible Landscape.
- Race the birds for your fair share of their reliable yearly crop. Use flash tape, netting and large plastic owls moved daily to keep them at bay.
- Brine your harvest for homemade Maraschino cherries to decorate cocktails and Holiday fruitcakes. You'll appreciate knowing exactly how they were made and they make terrific gifts, too!
- Use this commercial-grade quality Sweet Cherry in your backyard orchard. Plant in orchard rows to go into production for your family's needs or use high-density planting techniques on smaller lots.
- This selection stays a bit smaller than others, and should be pruned to a central leader. Over the first few years, work to develop a scaffolding framework for proper air circulation and sunlight penetration.
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Plant Emperor Francis Sweet Cherry trees in full sun where they will receive at least six hours of full sun. They also need rich, well-drained soil and appreciate symbiotic Nature Hills Root Booster formula added to your planting hole for life-long support.
- Water consistently during fruit development. Find out the right way to water plants at the NatureHills.com Garden Blog.
- Mulch to a depth of three-inches around the trunk, then pull it back away from directly touching the stems. Add high-quality fertilizer according to the label; or top-dress with compost in early spring.
- In late winter, prune to shape while the trees are dormant. Tip prune in summer for size control if you want to harvest without ladders.
