Cudrania, 'Hwang Kum #3' Che melonberry

Cudrania tricuspidata 'Hwang Kum #3'

Name in Chinese and pin yin: 柘 zhe

Variety description: A new Korean cultivar of che which we acquired from legendary rare fruit grower Cliff England. Very large and early ripening fruit. Since we have only grown this cultivar in proximity to a male tree, we cannot yet say whether or not it will produce parthenocarpic seedless fruit in the absence of a male pollinator. 

We graft our Che onto Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) rootstock so that as the plant matures it will develop less of a bush and more of a standard tree form. Young plants have small thorns. 

Site requirements: Full sun location. Che will grow in a range of soil types provided that the roots stay evenly moist throughout the heat of the summer. Deep, well drained loam is ideal.

Size at maturity: 10-30' tall, up to 25' wide, depending on pruning. Keep it pruned for a smaller size. Very fast growing.

Hardiness: USDA zones 5b-9. There are some reports of Che growing in USDA zone 5. Cooler climates may have insufficient summer heat to fully ripen the fruit.

Pests and Diseases: None observed. Birds will eat the fruit if you are late to harvest and deer may browse both the fruit and foliage. We protect young trees with a circle  of wire mesh to keep the deer away.

Plant size: Grafted tree, grown in a 2 gallon container. 

When we ship: FALL 2025

Shipping restrictions: None.