The cherry tree cultivation

Similar to many other agricultural products, it is most likely that it was during the  Roman era that cherry trees disseminated throughout Europe. Portugal has some regions that have the ideal weather conditions for the cultivation of cherry trees. Fundão is the main national producer and its cherries are certified.

Throughout the centuries, using grafting techniques, more varieties of cherry trees of different origins, known as cultivars, have been grown. These varieties produce for longer, are more resistant and have a longer conservation period.

Cherry trees grow in temperate climate areas all around the world. Due to the need for hundreds of hours of cold, these trees do not grow in tropical climates. 

The cherry tree grows naturally in almost all of Europe, Asia Minor, Armenia and the Caucasus. In the Americas, Northern Africa and Oceania, cherry growing was introduced by the Europeans.

In Portugal, only in this century, the area of cherry orchards in continental Portugal has grown on an average 100 hectares per year. The main areas of cherry production are located in the North and Centre of Portugal, which are areas that offer many hours of cold during the dormant period of the cherry tree. 

Presently, there are five regions in Portugal that have cherry cultivars certified at a national and international level: the cherry of São Julião - Portalegre PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), the cherry of Alfândega da Fé, the cherry of Penajóia, the cherry of Fundão PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and the cherry of Cova da Beira PGI. The last two - Fundão and Cova da Beira - are responsible for more than half of the total national production of cherries.