Native Plant Alternatives to Prunus avium (Sweet Cherry)

Prunus avium, commonly known as the sweet cherry or wild cherry, is native to Europe and western Asia. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, including in North America.

Prunus avium can grow rapidly and produce large quantities of seeds, which are dispersed by birds and mammals. This, combined with its tolerance of a variety of conditions, can lead it to outcompete native species in some circumstances.

Sweet Cherry is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

In areas where Prunus avium is invasive, it may form dense stands that reduce biodiversity by shading out other plant species. It can also hybridize with native cherry species, potentially leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Control of Prunus avium can be challenging, as the tree is able to regenerate from its roots. Cutting or girdling mature trees can be effective, but this may need to be combined with herbicide treatment to prevent regrowth.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.