Jefspur

Amur Cherry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Jefree' (Goldrush)

Summary: 'Jefspur' differs from the reference variety, 'Jefree' mainly in overall plant shape, growth habit, leaf blade length, leaf shape, leaf apex shape and petiole length. The overall shape of the plants of 'Jefspur' is ovoid whereas they are globose in 'Jefree'. The growth habit of 'Jefspur' is bushy whereas it is upright in 'Jefree'. The leaves of 'Jefspur' are longer than those of 'Jefree'. The leaves of 'Jefspur' are lanceolate in shape with an acuminate apex whereas the leaves of 'Jefree' are elliptic in shape with a cuspidate apex. The petiole of 'Jefspur' is shorter than that of 'Jefree'.

Description:

TREE: short, ovoid, bushy growth habit, dense branching, medium growth rate
ONE YEAR-OLD SHOOT: red brown, medium thickness, no pubescence, round in cross section, smooth bark, weak glaucosity, medium number of lenticels
BUD: medium size, reddish-brown, ovoid shape, pointed apex, no pubescence
SCALE: medium size, pyramidal shape

LEAVES: alternate arrangement, simple, lanceolate, acuminate apex, cuneate base, finely serrate margin, no lobing, no pubescence, dark green on upper surface, no variegation
LOWER LEAF SURFACE: medium green, no anthocyanin colouration of the veins, no pubescence
PETIOLE: no anthocyanin colouration

FLOWER: monoecious, raceme type inflorescence, terminal location, rotate corolla, no fragrance, early flowering lasting about one week
FRUIT: simple formation, drupe, black, no glaucosity, no pubescence
SEED: small, light brown when ripe

Origin & Breeding History: 'Jefspur' arose as an open-pollinated seedling of Prunus maackii, found growing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the summer of 1998. Asexual reproduction of 'Jefspur' was first conducted in the summer of 2004 at Agriforest Technologies in Kelowna, British Columbia. The first crop of plants was planted out at Jeffries Nurseries, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba in August, 2005.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Jefspur' were conducted at Jeffries Nurseries, Makarchuk Farm and Riverbend Farm sites during the summer of 2008. The trial included 100+ plants of each variety, planted in June, 2007. All plants were grown in production rows spaced approximately 1.33 meters apart and spaced 220-300 cm in the rows. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety.

Comparison tables for 'Jefspur' with reference variety 'Jefree'

Leaf blade length (mm)

Leaf blade width (mm)

Leaf petiole length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Amur Cherry: 'Jefspur' (right) with reference variety 'Jefree' (left)