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The Patent Garden

US Plant Patent PP12942

Minnie Royal

Cherry tree named ‘Minnie Royal’

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Patent expired March 27, 2020. This plant is in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it.

No term adjustment or disclaimer is recorded against this patent, so this is the full statutory term — twenty years from the filing date.

Figure 1 of US plant patent PP12942, the photograph of Minnie Royal printed in the patent.
Figure 1 from US Plant Patent PP12942, reproduced as printed. Photographs in a plant patent are taken by the applicant. Reproduction of the patent document is permitted; the image is shown whole and uncropped for that reason.

The record

Patent number
PP12942
Filed
March 27, 2000
Granted
September 10, 2002
Expires
March 27, 2020
Inventor
ZAIGER CHRIS FLOYD; ZAIGER GARY NEIL; GARDNER LEITH MARIE; ZAIGER GRANT GENE

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree ( Prunus avium ) that has the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. 1. Vigorous, upright growth. 2. Early maturity of firm fruit. 3. Heavy and regular production of medium size fruit. 4. Fruit with an attractive red skin color. 5. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 6. Early blooming with a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 500 hours at or below 45° F. 7. The ability of the fruit to remain firm on the tree 10 days past maturity (shipping ripe).

Show the legal claimThe single numbered claim as granted — the legal text that defines what this patent covers.

We claim: 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth, having a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 500 hours at or below 45°, and being a regular and productive bearer of medium size, early maturing fruit; the fruit is also characterized by its firm, crisp flesh with an attractive red skin color, having good handling and shipping qualities, the ability to remain firm on the tree 10 days past maturity, good flavor and eating quality and, in comparison to ‘Early Burlat’ Cherry (non-patented), the new variety blooms approximately 10 days earlier and the fruit is approximately 2 days later in maturity.

Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP12942 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.