Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Shade Tree, Flowering
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type species (Prunus serotina var. serotina)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with an upright, spreading crown, slender branches, dense foliage, and characteristic dark, scaly bark on mature trunks.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate leaves, 2 to 6 inches long, with finely serrated margins and distinctive fine reddish hairs along the midrib on the underside.
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to almost black bark, smooth and marked with prominent horizontal lenticels when young, breaking into small, hard, scaly plates with a burnt-cornflake appearance on mature trees.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, extending south into Mexico and Central America.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces white flower racemes in late spring, drops dark drupes in late summer, and enters dormancy in autumn after displaying yellow to red foliage.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soils but tolerates moderate drought once established.
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 50 to 80 feet with a spread of 35 to 60 feet; moderate to fast growth rate with a lifespan of up to 100 to 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Valued for its rich reddish-brown hardwood used in fine furniture and cabinetry; produces edible fruit often used for jellies and liqueurs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Highly valuable to wildlife, providing food for numerous bird species and mammals via its fruit, and serving as a crucial larval host for hundreds of butterfly and moth species.