Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Fruit, Forest, Shade, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (no specific cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; highly adaptable to various climates from cold northern plains to humid southeast
About This Tree
A medium to large forest tree with a narrow, oblong crown and drooping branches. It is known for its valuable timber and small, bittersweet dark purple fruit. It has a rapid growth rate when young and develops a distinctive 'burnt cornflake' bark texture at maturity.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, oblong-ovate leaves; 2-5 inches long; shiny dark green above, paler beneath; finely serrated margins with small incurved teeth; turns yellow to orange-red in fall
Bark Characteristics
Dark grey to black; smooth and reddish-brown with horizontal lenticels when young; becoming thick, rough, and broken into small, irregular scaly plates resembling 'burnt cornflakes' as it matures
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern North America, from eastern Canada through the United States to Mexico and Guatemala
Growing Season
Flowering in late spring (April-May) after leaves emerge; fruit ripens in late summer; enters dormancy in late autumn after turning yellow/red
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained, deep fertile soils but is moderately drought tolerant once established
Mature Size
Mature height of 50-80 feet with a spread of 30-60 feet; growth rate is fast; can live 150-258 years; trunk diameter 2-3 feet
Special Characteristics
High timber value for furniture and cabinetry; leaves and twigs contain hydrocyanic acid (toxic to livestock if wilted); showy white flower racemes; high architectural value in autumn
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high ecological value; fruit is a critical food source for birds, bears, and small mammals; host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Cherry Gall Azure butterflies; provides nesting sites for forest birds