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Prunus serotina

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus seh-roh-TEE-nuh
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Black Cherry is a deciduous tree that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall and is found in all parts of NC but grows best in the mountains. The tree has alternate leaves with a finely toothed margin, inconspicuous glands on the stem, and yellow-brown pubescence on the underside of the leaf. The bark of the tree is marked by horizontal lenticels. As the tree ages, it exhibits a scaly or flaky pattern. In the spring, small, white flowers mature. The tree produces a round, dark purple fruit that matures in late summer.

The bark of mature trees develops a dark scaly or flaky pattern. Bark, roots, and leaves contain concentrations of toxic cyanogenic compounds, hence the noticeable bitter almond aroma of the inner bark.

Prunus serotina can be pruned and kept at shrub size by cutting them to the ground every 2-3 years.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  As with most cherries, the black cherry tree it is susceptible to a large number of insect and disease pests. Potential diseases include leaf spot, die back, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight. Potential insects include aphids, scale, borers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, tent caterpillars and Japanese beetles. Spider mites may also be trouble.

Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Reynolda Palm House and Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Spring Sparkle', var. serotina
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#shade tree#native tree#nectar plant#fall interest#flowering tree#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#woodland garden#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#red-spotted purple butterfly#spring azure butterfly#viceroy butterflies#coral hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Spring Sparkle', var. serotina
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#shade tree#native tree#nectar plant#fall interest#flowering tree#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#edible fruits#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#woodland garden#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#red-spotted purple butterfly#spring azure butterfly#viceroy butterflies#coral hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    serotina
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the inner bark to treat colds. The hard, reddish-brown wood takes a fine polish and is commercially valued for use in a large number of products such as furniture, veneers, cabinets, interior paneling, gun stocks, instrument/tool handles, and musical instruments.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    W. Canada to NW. U.S.A., E. Canada to Guatemala
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON , QCnortheast to Quebec south throughout the south also found in British Columbia and Washington.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for several species of butterflies. You may see Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus) which has one flight from May-August, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), which has three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north, Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) which has many flights from January-October at the gulf coast getting shorter as you move north, Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) which has two to three broods May-September, and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) has two broods from April-October. Fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer and small mammals.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    fire in the landscape.
    Edibility:
    Fruits are bitter but can be used to make jellies and jams.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    3/8 inch purple-black cherries in drooping clusters that ripen in late summer. Bitter tasting off the tree.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    3-6 inches long pendulous racemes of many small fragrant white 5-petaled flowers that appear with the foliage in late April to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The 3-6 inch long by .75-1.5 inch wide dark green leaves have a cherry fragrance and bitter taste. The leaves are alternate with fine incurvate teeth, inconspicuous glands on the stem and yellow-brown pubescence on the underside of the leaf. The fall color is yellow-orange. The scent when crushed is of bitter almonds.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Lenticels
    Papery
    Bark Description:
    Younger bark is shiny and has verticle lenticels. The bark of mature trees develops a dark scaly or flaky pattern. Inner bark has a bitter almond flavor.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
    Stem Description:
    Satiny reddish-brown twigs with a strong scent of bitter almonds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Fire
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Messy
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    All parts are toxic except the fruits. If ingested, it is likely to cause death in livestock and pets. Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure. The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Hydrocyanic acid, Cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems