Edible Parts: Fruit  Seed
Edible Uses: Gum

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 12, 13]. It can be sweet or bitter but it is not acid[11]. The fruit can be cooked in pies etc or used to make preserves. The fruit contains about 78% water, 8.5 - 14% sugars[74]. The fruit is about 20mm in diameter and contains one large seed[200]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. An edible gum is obtained by wounding the bark[115, 183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antitussive  Astringent  Diuretic  Tonic

The fruit stalks are astringent, diuretic and tonic[4, 7, 238]. A decoction is used in the treatment of cystitis, oedema, bronchial complaints, looseness of the bowels and anaemia[4, 238]. An aromatic resin can be obtained by making small incisions in the trunk[7]. This has been used as an inhalant in the treatment of persistent coughs[7]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[238].

Dye  Gum  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: Wild cherry is essentially a pioneer species, and quickly colonises clearings by seeds and suckering, forming secondary woodland, but is often out-competed later by other hardwood species. It is used extensively in Europe for the afforestation of agricultural land and it is also valued for wildlife and amenity plantings[1195 ]. The flowers are a good source of pollen and nectar for bees[74 , 1145 ]. This species is a bad companion for potatoes, making them more susceptible to potato blight[201 ], it also suppresses the growth of wheat[18 ]. It also grows badly with plum trees, its roots giving out an antagonistic secretion[201 ]. Other Uses: A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[168 ]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168 ]. The bark, especially of the root, contains the dye phlorizin[74 ]. The wood contains the dye xylan[74 ]. The seed contains around 30% oil[74 ]. The bark usually only contains small amounts of tannin, but this sometimes rises to 16%[223 ]. This species has been utilized to breed cherry cultivars with resistance to frost and a number of diseases. Among cultivated forms there are very ornamental ones with double and pink flowers, motley or dissected leaves as well as with a drooping crown[1145 ] The heartwood is pinkish-brown; the sapwood red. The grain is fine and straight, with a satiny texture. The wood is firm, compact, and generally free from defects. A valuable, attractive timber that is easy to work, it is used for turnery, furniture, cabinet making, panelling, musical instruments etc[46 , 74 , 100 , 115 , 1195 ]. The red sapwood is valued in turnery and woodwork[74 ].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Espalier  Food Forest