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Black Cherry

Black Cherry

Black Cherry

Prunus Serotina

A rare, native tree in New Brunswick with fruits, leaves and flowers that are valued by native wildlife. It is a fast growing, long-lived, medium sized tree with edible fruits (not seeds) that can be used to make jam. Attractive clusters of long, small white flowers (4 to 6 inches long) bloom in late spring with ‘perfect’ male and female flowers. The insect pollinated flowers attract bees and butterflies and the leaves are host to a variety of butterfly larvae including the native Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. All parts of this tree, except the fruit, can be poisonous containing cyanide. Fruits must be pitted before consumption. Mast seed crops occur anywhere from 1 to 5 years apart. DO NOT PLANT WHERE DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK ARE PRESENT.

Additional information

Foliage

Deciduous

Locale

Native to New Brunswick, Native to North America

Height

Medium (30-60ft)

Width

Moderate

Form

Pyramidal

Growth Rate

Fast

Longevity

Long (over 100 years)

Hardiness Zones *

3, 4, 5

Sun Exposure

Full Sun (over 6 hrs), Partial Sun (4 to 6 hrs)

Soil Preferences *

Moist, Slightly Acidic, Well Draining

Soil Tolerances

Dry, Slightly Alkaline

Other Tolerances

Road Salt

Ornamental Interest

Flowers (attractive)

Wildlife Value

Bees (flowers), Birds (fruits/seeds), Butterflies (flowers), Butterfly Larvae (leaves), Insect Pollinators (flowers), Small Mammals (fruits/seeds)

Human Value

Carpentry (wood), Edible (fruit)

Seed Collection

Ordered Online, Personally in NB

Planting Considerations

Can Reseed Aggressively, Intolerant of Full Shade, Messy Seed Litter, Poisonous Tree Parts, Prone to Ice Damage