Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Flowering
Variety / Cultivar
Wild species type (no specific named cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, adapting well to a wide range of temperate climatic conditions.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with an irregular or rounded crown, slender branches, dark green foliage, fragrant white flower clusters, and edible dark fruits consumed by numerous wildlife species.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, oblong to lanceolate in shape, 2 to 6 inches long, with finely serrated margins and tiny reddish-brown glands on the petiole.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and reddish-brown with prominent horizontal lenticels on young trees, developing into dark gray to almost black, rough, scaly plates or blocks resembling burnt cornflakes on mature trunks.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, extending south into Central America and South America.
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out and showy white flowers in racemes appearing in April to May, followed by dark red to black cherries in late summer, and entering winter dormancy after yellow to red fall leaf color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth, prefers well-drained, fertile, moist soils, but exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 50 to 80 feet in height with a spread of 30 to 60 feet, growing at a medium to fast rate with a moderate lifespan of around 60 to 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Valued for its high-quality reddish-brown hardwood used in fine furniture and cabinetry. Exhibits good pollution tolerance and produces attractive spring blooms and colorful autumn foliage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high ecological value; host plant for numerous butterfly and moth larvae (Lepidoptera), flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and the fruits are a critical food source for over 30 species of birds and various mammals.