Tree highlight: black cherry
Black cherry
Prunus serotina (Family Rosaceae)
Black cherries grow plentifully in late summer for many animals to feed on.
The basics
Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is native to the Midwest and eastern United States. Growing to heights of 80 feet, it is the largest cherry species native to Kentucky. Black cherries grow differently depending on their environment: they can grow tall and slender when growing close to other trees, but when grown in the open, they have an arching form with full branches or they take on a shrub-like form. They are known for their glossy green leaves, 2-6 inches in length, their beautiful white spring flowers, bitter dark cherries in the summer, and flaky bark on mature trees. The leaves and inner bark contain a toxic compound called hydrocyanic acid which has a bitter almond aroma and makes wilted twigs and leaves dangerous to livestock and deer.
Did you know?
- The common name, black cherry, refers to how the bark darkens with age. When young, black cherry bark is thin and smooth, but as it ages, the bark becomes flaky and darker in color.
- The scientific name of the black cherry, Prunus serotina, is Latin, with Prunus meaning “plum or cherry” while serotina means “late,” referring to their late season fruiting.
- Black cherry is in the same family as roses (Rosaceae).
Though black cherry is in the rose family, its flowers look nothing like roses!
The opossum is one of many animals that take advantage of fallen black cherries.
Wildlife
- More than 40 species of birds eat the fruit of black cherries, including woodpeckers and wild turkeys. Birds often travel long distances to eat ripe black cherries. Consumption of the tree’s fruit is important in spreading its seeds.
- Black bears and raccoons climb black cherry trees to eat the fruit, while other mammals like opossums, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and deer eat fallen cherries.
- Black cherry are known to harbor a number of insects. Black cherry aphids can be found on the underside of the leaves, while eastern tent caterpillars create web-like tents in the branches. Cherry leaf beetles, Japanese beetles, and cherry scallop shell moth caterpillars can all be found feeding on the leaves.
Uses
- The fruit of the black cherry has a bitter taste, but can be made into jams, jellies, and even cherry pies. They are also used to flavor certain liqueurs and beverages.
- Wood made from black cherry is highly valued for its rich, dark color and strength. It is often used to make furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments.
- Native Americans used the black cherry tree to make teas and syrups to treat coughs colds. Even today, some cough syrups have ingredients derived from black cherry.
Black cherry bark has a dark, burnt-like look.
Benefits
Over a 20-year period, a healthy black cherry with a diameter of 20 inches will offset 15,479 car miles worth of CO2, absorb enough stormwater to fill 1,605 bathtubs, and remove an amount of pollution from the air – in gaseous and particulate form – equivalent in weight to 81 smartphones! Learn more at: https://mytree.itreetools.org/
Learn more
Tree of the Week video
By University of Kentucky Forestry and Natural Resources Extension
Click to watchContact us: ufi@uky.edu
Images sourced from forestyimages.org
