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Summary
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.
Physical Characteristics
Prunus avium is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cerasus nigra. C. sylvestris.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
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].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
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
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Espalier. Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[1, 11]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position[11, 200]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[11]. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[1]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is fast growing on deep moist soils[11] but is shallow rooting[98]. Trees cast a light shade and are themselves intolerant of heavy shade[186]. They produce quite a lot of suckers and can form thickets, especially if the main trunk is felled[186]. This species is a parent of many cultivated forms of sweet cherries[17, 34], especially the black fruited forms[11]. Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, sweet cherries can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall though east or north facing walls are not very suitable[219]. The main problems with growing this species against a wall are firstly that it is usually completely self-sterile and so there needs to be space for at least two different cultivars[186], secondly it is very vigorous and so is difficult to keep within bounds[219]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[238]. An excellent tree for insects[24] and the fruit is a good food source for birds. 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]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Edible, Not North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base [1-2]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [2-1].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
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Plant Propagation
Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[200]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[200]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[11, 200]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[200]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[98]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Layering in spring.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Georgia, Iran, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Turkey,Afghanistan. EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus (south), Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia), North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Prunus africana | Pygeum | Tree | 18.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | M | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Prunus alabamensis | Alabama Cherry | Tree | 8.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus alleghaniensis | Allegheny Plum, Davis' plum | Tree | 3.5 |
4-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus americana | American Plum, American Wild Plum, Wild Plum | Tree | 6.0 |
3-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Prunus americana lanata | | Tree | 10.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus andersonii | Desert Peach | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Prunus angustifolia | Chickasaw Plum, Watson's plum, Hally Jolivette Cherry | Tree | 3.0 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Prunus angustifolia watsonii | Sand Plum | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus apetala | Clove Cherry | Shrub | 7.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus arabica | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus armeniaca | Apricot | Tree | 9.0 |
5-7
| M | LM | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Prunus armeniaca mandschurica | Manchurian apricot | Tree | 6.0 |
3-9
| M | LM | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Prunus besseriana | Dwarf Almond | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus besseyi | Western Sand Cherry | Shrub | 1.2 |
3-6
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus bifrons | | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus bokharensis | Bokhara Plum | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus brigantina | Briançon Apricot | Tree | 6.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus buergeriana | | Tree | 9.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus campanulata | Taiwan Cherry | Tree | 7.0 |
7-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus canescens | Greyleaf Cherry | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Prunus capsica | | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus caroliniana | American Cherry Laurel, Carolina laurelcherry, Laurel Cherry, | Shrub | 12.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Prunus cerasifera | Cherry Plum, Myrobalan Plum, Newport Cherry Plum, Pissard Plum | Tree | 9.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Prunus cerasifera divaricata | | Tree | 10.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Prunus cerasoides | Wild Himalayan Cherry | Tree | 30.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Prunus cerasus | Sour Cherry | Tree | 6.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Prunus cerasus austera | Morello Cherry | Tree | 9.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Prunus cerasus caproniana | Kentish Red Cherry | Tree | 9.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Prunus cerasus frutescens | Bush Sour Cherry | Tree | 1.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
|
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
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Botanical References
1117200
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