Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Fruit, Timber, Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (unspecified cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; highly adaptable to various climates within this range.
About This Tree
A medium to large fast-growing forest tree with a narrow, oblong crown in forests, becoming more spreading in open areas. Famous for its high-quality reddish-brown cabinet wood and small, dark edible fruits.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, 2 to 5 inches long, oval to lanceolate shape with finely serrated margins. Dark green and lustrous above, paler below, with a distinctive fringe of reddish-brown hair along the midrib near the base.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive 'burnt potato chip' appearance on mature trees: dark grey to black, broken into small, brittle, upturned plates. Young bark is smooth and reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern North America, from eastern Canada through the eastern United States to Mexico and Guatemala.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers late spring (May-June); fruits ripen late summer (August-September); enters dormancy in late autumn with yellow to red fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred, though moderately shade-tolerant when young; requires well-drained soil; moderate water needs; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height: 50-80 feet; Spread: 30-60 feet; Growth rate: Fast; Lifespan: 150-250 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber (fine furniture and cabinetry); bark contains hydrocyanic acid used historically in cough medicines; foliage can be toxic to livestock if wilted.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high ecological value; fruits are a critical food source for dozens of bird species and mammals; host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Cherry Gall Azure butterflies.