Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Fruit / Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9
About This Tree
A medium-to-large native tree with an oblong, oval, or irregular crown. Noted for its valuable reddish-brown timber, white flower racemes, dark purple-black mature fruits, and distinctive dark, scaly bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves, 2 to 5 inches long, fine serrations along margins, dark glossy green above and paler beneath, turning brilliant yellow to orange in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and dark reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels; mature bark breaks into rough, dark grayish-black, scaly plates resembling cornflakes or burned potato chips, exposed in this timber log.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in spring (April-May), flowers in late spring, fruits ripen late summer to early fall, dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soils, but possesses moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
50 to 80 feet tall, 30 to 50 feet spread, fast growth rate when young, trunk diameter of 1 to 3 feet at maturity.
Special Characteristics
Highly prized hard wood used for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and veneers; rich in hydrogen cyanide glycosides in wilted leaves/twigs; brilliant fall color.
Wildlife & Ecology
High ecological value; flowers attract bees and native pollinators, dark fruits provide essential food for dozens of songbird species, mammals, and caterpillars (such as eastern tiger swallowtails).