Black Cherry
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Black cherry is a hardy, fast-growing, and long-living tree, reaching heights of 60 to 80 (and occasionally 100!) feet. White, very showy flowers appear in early- to mid-spring, emitting a pleasant fragrance. The fruit becomes dark purple to almost black when ripe, maturing in summer. Black cherry is a valuable species; the beautiful hard, red-brown wood is often used for furniture and interior finish. The fruit is edible and great for jellies and wines- it can be eaten raw as well, but is less sweet and more bitter than cultivated cherries. It is also a great food source for wildlife.
Fruit production starts at about ten years of age.
*Note: As with other cherries, while the fruit is edible, the rest of the plant including the pit is toxic if consumed.
Bare root, 2-3'
Sourced from Michigan
| Mature height (ft) | 60-80 |
| Mature spread (ft) | 30-60 |
| Sun preference | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil type preference | Loam, clay; high organic matter |
| Soil moisture preference | Moist to wet, well-drained |
| Bloom | April to May |
| Fruits | August to October |
| Pollination | Self-pollinating but will produce more consistent yields with multiples. |
| Zone | 3-9 |
| pH | Neutral to acidic |
|
Wildlife benefit |
Food source for many birds including ducks, turkeys, grouse, quail, pheasants, and woodpeckers; attracts pollinators. |
| Uses | Edible, lumber, erosion control |
Resources
Black Cherry, USDA NRCS Plant Guide
Prunus serotina, Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Prunus serotina, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Prunus serotina, Plant Database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The University of Texas at Austin