Black Cherry
Latin name: Prunus serotina
Etymology: Prunus serotina gets its name from its comparatively late flowering time. The genus name comes from the Latin words for ‘plum tree’ (prunus) while the Latin species name serotinus means ‘late to blossom and fruit’.
Family: Rosaceae (Roses)
Origin: Eastern North America, Mexico and Guatemala
Native habitats: Deciduous and mixed evergreen-deciduous forests, riparian terraces.
Black cherries have a distinctive “black potato chip” bark. Younger stems have distinct horizontal lines called “lenticels.” Though a few large specimens persist, most black cherries in Herrontown Woods are small, growing where gaps in the canopy allow sunlight to reach them.
Description: Black Cherries grow between 60-100 feet high, with a diameter of 2-5 feet. Leaves are long, narrow and blunt-toothed and nearly always have a midrib that is prominently fringed with white to brown hair beneath. They measure between 2-6 inches. The mature bark is rough and dark, marked with horizontal lines, and often exposes brownish-reddish underbark in irregular cracks. Smaller branches have reddish bark, buds are hairless with pointed bud scales. Flowers are white and appear in long clusters between May and June. Fruits are small and blackish, round drupes that are found in clusters from June until October.
Similar species: The leaves of Fire Cherry and Choke Cherry are similar but hairless and buds differ from those of Black Cherry.
Wildlife value: Throughout its range, Black Cherry is said to be the primary food plant for more than 200 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars. Its flowers and fruit in particular are extremely important food for mammals, birds and insects.
Uses: Black Cherry was used extensively by various native American groups to treat a wide variety of ailments, including coughs, colds, ulcers, fevers, measles, and burns.
Presently, Black Cherry is the only native cherry of commercial value in the US and its wood is highly valued for furniture. The fruit is used for making jelly and wine and can also be used as a seasoning.
