Black Cherry, Wild Black Cherry, Rum Cherry, Mountain Black Cherry, Wild Cherry
Prunus serotina, commonly known as Black Cherry, is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America. Highly valued for its fine wood, wildlife benefits, and small edible fruits, this tree is easy to grow and offers year-round appeal. In spring, it produces delicate, lace-like blossoms, followed by glossy green foliage in summer, vibrant autumn colors, and ornamental berries that attract birds. A beautifully shaped shade tree, Black Cherry enhances both natural landscapes and home gardens.
Black Cherry is widespread across North America, from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick westward to southern Quebec, Ontario, Michigan, and eastern Minnesota. Its range extends south through Iowa, eastern Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, reaching as far as central Florida. Thriving in well-drained soils and full sun, it is highly adaptable, often found in forest margins, disturbed areas, and old fields. Black Cherry is closely related to Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), a smaller species with less glossy leaves.
Black Cherry is a fast-growing, medium-to-large deciduous tree with a straight trunk and an oval or pyramidal crown. In dense forests, it develops a tall, columnar form, whereas in open landscapes, it spreads more broadly.
Mature Black Cherry trees typically reach heights of 50-80 feet (15-24 m) with a spread of 30-60 feet (9-18 m). The growth rate is rapid, with young trees growing up to 3 feet (90 CM) per year under optimal conditions.
Mature Black Cherry trees typically live around 100 years, though some specimens can reach up to 250 years.
Black Cherry produces fragrant, white flowers in early spring to early summer. The flowers appear in drooping clusters (racemes) measuring 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long, emerging shortly after the leaves. These nectar-rich blossoms attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Following pollination, the flowers develop into hanging clusters of small, round berries (drupes) that start red and ripen to deep purple-black in late summer. While bitter when eaten raw, the fruits are commonly used in jams, jellies, and traditional beverages like cherry bounce. They also provide an essential food source for birds and mammals.
Black Cherry features simple, alternate, lanceolate leaves measuring 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long. The glossy green leaves have finely serrated edges and pointed tips, creating an elegant appearance. In autumn, they turn brilliant shades of yellow to red, adding seasonal interest to the landscape.
Young trees have smooth, dark gray bark with horizontal lenticels. As the tree matures, the bark becomes dark brown to black with a scaly, flaky texture, resembling burnt potato chips.
Black Cherry thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Black Cherry is an essential wildlife tree, providing food, shelter, and habitat for a wide range of birds, mammals, and pollinators. Its small, dark fruits ripen in late summer and serve as a critical food source for numerous species.
Birds: The berries are particularly important for songbirds and game birds, including robins, cedar waxwings, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, quail, and thrushes. Passerine birds consume the fruit and aid in seed dispersal.
Mammals: Black Cherry supports a variety of mammals such as red foxes, black bears, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, white-tailed deer, mice, and moles. The high-energy fruit provides essential nutrition, especially in late summer and fall.
Pollinators: The tree’s fragrant, nectar-rich flowers attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Butterflies and Moths: Black Cherry serves as a vital larval host plant for multiple butterfly and moth species, including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina), Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus), Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), and Red-Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
While deer may browse young saplings, mature trees are relatively resistant to browsing.
Black Cherry contains cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin and prunasin) in its leaves, bark, and seeds. These compounds can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized, making the tree toxic to livestock, pets, and humans under certain conditions.
Poisonous to Humans: While the fleshy part of the fruit is safe to eat when fully ripe, the seeds, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic compounds. The accidental ingestion of intact seeds is not typically dangerous, but chewing or crushing the seeds can release cyanide, leading to poisoning. Blending or processing the whole fruit with pits may also pose a risk. Poisoning symptoms in humans can include gasping and respiratory distress, weakness and dizziness, pupil dilation, excitement followed by depression, spasms, convulsions, and coma. In severe cases, respiratory failure can lead to death.
Problem for Pets and Livestock: Black Cherry is highly toxic to livestock, particularly horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as domestic pets like dogs and cats. The toxicity risk increases when the leaves wilt, as this triggers the release of cyanide. Horses, in particular, are highly susceptible.
While native to North America, Black Cherry has become invasive in several northern and central European countries. Its rapid growth, ability to persist in shaded sites, and high seed production contribute to its aggressive spread.
In areas where it has been introduced, Black Cherry outcompetes native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and altering natural forest dynamics. It can form dense thickets that suppress the regeneration of native tree species, making it a significant concern in European woodlands.
Efforts to manage its spread include mechanical removal, herbicide application, and controlled burns, though its resilience and extensive seed bank make eradication challenging.
Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Best flower and fruit production is obtained in full sun.
Grows best in well-drained, fertile soil but adapts to a variety of soil types except for extreme wet or dry ones.
Water consistently during the first year to establish roots. Once established, water deeply during dry spells. Maintain moist but not waterlogged soil.
Apply organic fertilizer in early spring to promote growth and fruit production. Avoid over-fertilization, which can cause leaf browning and stunted growth.
Prune annually during the dormant season (winter), to remove dead or diseased branches and shape young trees.
As with most cherries, the Black Cherry tree is susceptible to a wide range of insect pests and fungal diseases.
While Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is valued for its timber, fruit, and wildlife benefits, it has several drawbacks:
Not exactly. The term “wild cherry” can refer to multiple species, but Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is often called “wild black cherry” to distinguish it from other wild-growing cherry species. A related species, Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), is often confused with Black Cherry but is generally smaller and has more bitter-tasting fruit.
Yes, the fruit of Black Cherry is edible when fully ripe. The small, dark cherries have a slightly bitter taste and are often used in making jams, jellies, syrups, and traditional alcoholic beverages such as cherry bounce. However, the seeds inside the fruit contain cyanogenic compounds and should not be consumed in large quantities.
Yes, parts of the Black Cherry tree contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release hydrogen cyanide when broken down. This makes the leaves, bark, and seeds toxic to livestock, pets, and humans if consumed in large amounts. Wilted leaves are especially dangerous to livestock, as they contain higher concentrations of cyanide-producing compounds.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
Common names | Black Cherry |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 30' - 60' (9.1m - 18.3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Birds |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
Common names | Black Cherry |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 50' - 80' (15.2m - 24.4m) |
Spread | 30' - 60' (9.1m - 18.3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Birds |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
How many Prunus serotina (Black Cherry) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Prunus serotina (Black Cherry) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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