Black Cherry

Flower

Prunus serotina

Black cherry is a large native tree of extraordinary ecological importance, supporting more than 400 species of caterpillars and moths - more than any tree genus except oak. Its white flower racemes in spring are magnets for pollinators, and its small black cherries in late summer feed an enormous diversity of birds and mammals. A true keystone species of eastern North American forests, it establishes quickly, produces significant timber, and provides critical linkages in woodland food webs that few other trees can match.

Native Range

Origin: Native to North America and Central America.
Native Habitat: Forest edges, disturbed areas, successional woodlands, and roadsides across an enormous range from Nova Scotia and Manitoba south to Guatemala.
Current Distribution: Widespread across most of North America east of the Rockies; introduced and invasive in parts of Western Europe.

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Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Water Needs

Low to Moderate

Soil

Adaptable to a wide range of soils; prefers well-drained loam but tolerates poor, rocky, and sandy soils; pH 5.5-7.0

Spacing

240 to 360 inches

Days to Maturity

First flowering in 5-8 years; fruit production begins at 10 years; maximum fruit production at 30-100 years

Growing Zones

Thrives in USDA Zones 3 - 9

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

Chokecherry (can share fire blight and tent caterpillar outbreaks)

When to Plant

Transplant
Plant balled-and-burlapped or container-grown nursery stock in early spring; transplants best when young
Harvest
Harvest black cherries in July-August when fully ripe and dark; use for jams, jellies, and wines; remove stones before eating raw

Phenology (Natural Timing Cues)

Transplant

Plant black cherry in early spring before bud break while soil is cool and moist. It establishes readily from young nursery stock and grows quickly - often 2-3 feet per year in good conditions. Fall planting is possible in zones 5-9 but spring is preferred for maximum establishment time.

Forsythia in full bloom and soil no longer frozen
Soil workable to shovel depth without clumping
Surrounding deciduous trees at bud swell stage
Nighttime temperatures above 28°F reliably

Start Dates (Your Location)

Based on your saved growing zone and this plant's timing notes.

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Best Planting Window

Spring window

Early spring

Plant as soon as the soil is workable so roots establish before heat arrives.

Autumn window

Usually skip autumn planting

Use spring unless you have locally grown nursery stock and enough mild weather for roots to establish.

Planting Method

Plant nursery-grown transplants. They establish faster and more reliably than starting this plant from seed.

Critical Timing Note

Plant early enough for roots to establish before weather stress arrives.

Organic Growing Tips

Hosts more caterpillar species than almost any other tree in North America; do not spray caterpillars found on foliage.
Black knot gall - a dark, warty fungal growth on branches - can be controlled by pruning out affected wood well below the gall in late winter.
Wilted leaves contain hydrogen cyanide; do not allow wilted leaves to accumulate where livestock or dogs can consume large quantities.
A single mature tree can produce thousands of fruits annually; plant where fallen fruit can be left for wildlife rather than on lawns.

Common Pests

Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Black Knot Fungus
Cherry Aphid
Peach Tree Borer

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Rose family (Rosaceae)
Genus: Prunus
Species: serotina

Natural History

Prunus serotina is native across a vast range from Nova Scotia and Manitoba south to Guatemala, growing in forest edges, disturbed areas, and successional woodlands. It is one of the most ecologically significant trees in eastern North America, identified by entomologist Doug Tallamy as second only to oaks in the number of moth and butterfly species it supports. The species name serotina means "late" in Latin, referring to the late-season flowering relative to other cherries. Bark was extensively used by Indigenous peoples and in 19th-century commercial medicine under the name "wild cherry bark." It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and has become invasive in parts of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Traditional Use

Wild cherry bark was one of the most commercially important medicinal plants in 19th-century North America and remained in the US Pharmacopoeia into the 20th century. Its cough-suppressant and expectorant properties, derived from prunasin and related compounds that hydrolyze to benzaldehyde, were documented across many Indigenous nations and adopted widely into American folk and patent medicine.

Parts Noted Historically

barkinner bark

Cherokee, documented by Mooney and Olbrechts, late 19th century - bark
Cherokee healers prepared bark decoctions used in traditional contexts associated with coughs, respiratory complaints, and as a cold remedy; documented in multiple ethnobotanical accounts as a primary respiratory plant.
US Pharmacopoeia, 1820-1975 - inner bark
Wild cherry bark syrup was an official Pharmacopoeia preparation for over 150 years, used as a cough suppressant and expectorant; it remains a component of some over-the-counter cough preparations today.

Ripe fruits are safe to eat in moderate quantities but should have stones removed. Wilted leaves and bark contain prunasin, which can release hydrogen cyanide; do not use bark preparations without proper preparation guidance. Ripe cherries are safe; wilted or damaged leaves are toxic to livestock.

This information is provided for historical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions related to your health.

Morphology (Plant Structure & Identification)

Root System
Spreading, moderately deep taproot with wide lateral roots; pioneer species that anchors rapidly in disturbed ground.
Stem
Single-trunked tree reaching 50-80 feet; distinctive scaly, dark gray-black bark with bitter almond scent when scratched.
Leaves
Alternate, narrowly oblong-ovate with finely serrate margins and 1-2 reddish glands at leaf base; glossy dark green; yellow to orange in fall.
Flowers
White, 5-petaled flowers borne in elongated drooping racemes 4-6 inches long; bloom May-June; heavily visited by native bees and butterflies.
Fruit
Small, round, dark purple-black drupes 1/3 inch across in drooping clusters; ripen July-August; intensely flavored, used for jams, jellies, and wine.

Known Varieties

Common cultivars worth knowing

Straight Species
The wild-type black cherry; maximum ecological value for caterpillars, pollinators, and birds. Most plants sold at native plant nurseries are the straight species grown from local seed sources.
Best for: Wildlife habitat; ecological restoration; woodland gardens
Canada Red (P. virginiana)
A related species, chokecherry, with similar wildlife value but smaller stature (15-25 feet); often substituted for black cherry in smaller gardens or windbreaks.
Best for: Smaller gardens; windbreaks; zones 2-7

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