Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Fruit, Forest, Timber, Flowering Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Common Black Cherry)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9.
About This Tree
A medium to large fast-growing forest tree. In forests, it grows tall and straight with a narrow crown; in open spaces, it develops an oblong to rounded crown. Notable for its aromatic 'bitter almond' scent in twigs and bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, 2 to 5 inches long, oval to lanceolate shape. Fine-toothed margins. Dark green and shiny above, paler below with reddish-brown fuzz along the midrib near the base. Fast-changing yellow to reddish-orange fall color.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive 'burnt cornflakes' appearance on mature trees: dark grey to black, broken into small, brittle, upturned plates. Young bark is smooth, reddish-brown to dark grey with horizontal lenticels.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern North America, from eastern Canada through the eastern United States into central Mexico.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, flowers in late spring (May-June), fruits ripen in late summer (August-September), and turns yellow or orange before dormancy in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, though it can tolerate partial shade. Needs well-drained soil. Moderate water needs with moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically 50-80 feet tall with a 30-60 foot canopy spread. Can live up to 250 years, though 100-150 is more common.
Special Characteristics
High timber value for furniture and cabinetry. Fruit is edible for humans (when processed) but leaves and twigs contain hydrocyanic acid and can be toxic to livestock.
Wildlife & Ecology
High ecological value. Provides nectar for pollinators, host plant for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, and berries for numerous bird species and mammals like bears and raccoons.