Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Fruit/Nut (drupe), Flowering
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, highly adaptable to various temperate climates.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with a straight trunk, spreading branches forming a rounded or irregular crown, moderate to fast growth rate, and dense foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves, 2 to 6 inches long, finely serrated margins with tiny curved teeth, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, turning yellow to red in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and reddish-brown with prominent horizontal lenticels when young, developing dark grey to nearly black, rough, scaly plates resembling burnt potato chips as it ages.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, widely adapted and naturalized in various temperate regions.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces white flowers in racemes in late spring, drops small dark stone fruits in late summer, and enters winter dormancy after turning yellow in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade. Requires moderate watering during establishment but exhibits good drought tolerance once mature. Prefers well-draining soils.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 50 to 80 feet in height with a spread of 35 to 60 feet, moderate to fast growth rate, and a lifespan of up to 150 to 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Valued for its high-quality reddish-brown hardwood used in fine furniture and cabinetry. Tolerates urban pollution and a range of soils, though leaves and twigs can contain cyanogenic glycosides toxic to livestock under certain conditions.
Wildlife & Ecology
Highly beneficial to wildlife; its flowers provide nectar for pollinators, its foliage is consumed by numerous moth and butterfly caterpillars, and its small cherries are eagerly eaten by birds and mammals.