Bing

Tree Characteristics

• Vigour: Medium to high
• Growth Habit: Upright to spreading, moderately vigorous
• Flowering: Mid season
• Pollination: Not self-fertile; requires a compatible polliniser
• Productivity: Moderate
• Alternate Bearing: Low
• Site Suitability: Best suited to cooler Australian cherry-growing regions with reliable winter chill

Grower note: Bing performs best in well-managed orchards with good pollination support and careful canopy management.

Fruit Characteristics

• Colour: Deep red to mahogany at full maturity
• Colour Timing: Mid season
• Finish: Glossy with moderate skin strength
• Shape: Large, round to slightly heart-shaped
• Stem: Medium to long
• Eating Quality: Firm, juicy flesh with a rich, sweet cherry flavour

Harvest & Storage

• Harvest Window: Mid season, typically after Van and around Lapins timing in Australia
• Picking: One to two picks depending on maturity and market requirements
• Storability: Short to medium storage potential; best suited to fresh market programs

Grower note: Bing is generally marketed for immediate fresh consumption rather than long-term storage.

Performance & Management

• Packout: Moderate to good, driven by size and flavour rather than yield
• Thinning: Rarely required
• Cropping: Consistent when pollination conditions are favourable
• Canopy Management: Regular pruning required to manage vigour and light distribution
• Pest & Disease: Standard cherry pest and disease management required; monitor for cracking in wet seasons

Market Advantages

• Strong consumer recognition and heritage appeal
• Excellent flavour profile
• Large fruit size supports premium positioning
• Benchmark variety for mid-season cherries