black cherry

Prunus serotina

Image of wild black cherry in bloom.

Description:

Prunus serotina, commonly known as black cherry, is a deciduous tree native to Wisconsin. It belongs to the Rosaceae family and is widely distributed across the eastern and central parts of the continent, ranging from Canada to Florida and as far west as Texas.

The black cherry tree typically reaches a height of 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 meters) and has an upright, pyramidal or oval-shaped crown. Its bark is smooth and reddish-brown when young, gradually becoming darker and developing distinctive horizontal lenticels as the tree matures. The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical in shape, measuring 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 centimeters) long. They have finely serrated margins and a glossy dark green color, turning yellow to red in the fall.

In spring, black cherry trees produce clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These flowers give way to dark purple to black cherries that ripen in late summer. The fruit is approximately ¼ to ⅓ inch (0.6 to 0.8 centimeters) in diameter and is a food source for birds and mammals.

Overall, Prunus serotina is a resilient and adaptable tree that thrives in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, and open fields. It plays an important ecological role, providing food and habitat for wildlife. The wood of black cherry trees is highly valued for its attractive grain and is commonly used in furniture making and woodworking.

Details:

wild black cherry

USDA Symbol:	Common Name:	Scientific Name:
PRSE2	black cherry	Prunus serotina

ITIS TSN: 24764

Category: Dicot

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom:

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Subdivision:

Class: Magnoliopsida

SubClass: Rosidae

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood

Natural Community: Southern Oak Forest-Oak Woodland

Curtis Community: Boreal Forest, Cedar Glade, Mesic Prairie, Northern Dry Forest, Northern Dry-mesic Forest, Oak Opening, Southern Dry Forest, Southern Dry-mesic Forest, Southern Wet-Mesic Forest, Southern Wet Forest, Bracken-grassland

Coefficient of Conservation: 3

Duration:	Growth Habit:	Native Status:
Perennial	Tree, Shrub	L48(N)CAN(N)

NR40 Listed Plant	Noxious Weed:	Invasive Species (NR40):	Threatened/Endangered:	WI Natural Heritage Index:	Wetland Status
		Native			FACU

Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer

After Harvest Regrowth Rate:

Bloat: Low

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: High

Coppice Potential: Yes

Conspicuous Fall Color: No

Fire Resistant: No

Flower Color: White

Conspicuous Flower: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Foliage Light Porosity Summer: Moderate

Foliage Porosity Winter: Porous

Foliage Texture: Medium

Fruit/Seed Color: Black

Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: Yes

Growth Form: Multiple Stem

Growth Rate: Rapid

Height at Base Age (Max): 40

Height at Maturity: 80

Known Alelopath: No

Leaf Retention: No

Lifespan: Moderate

Low Growing Grass: No

Re-sproutability: Yes

Shape and Orientation: Erect

Toxicity: Severe

Height (min):

Height (max):

Root Type:

Leaf Type:

Leaf Arrangement:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Margin:

Vein Pattern:

Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Medium Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Fine Textured Soils: No

Anaerobic Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance: High

Cold Stratification Required: Yes

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Fertility Requirement: Medium

_Fire Tolerance: Low

Frost Free Days, Minimum: 120

Hedge Tolerance: None

Moisture Use: Medium

pH (Minimum): 4

pH (Maximum): 7.5

Planting Density per Acre, Minimum: 300

Planting Density per Acre, Maximum: 800

Precipitation (Minimum): 21

Precipitation (Maximum): 50

Root Depth, Minimum (inches): 36

Salinity Tolerance: Medium

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Temperature, Minimum (°F): -33

Plant Spacing (min):

Plant Spacing (max):

Bloom Period:	Commercial Availability:	Fruit/Seed Abundance:
Late Spring	Routinely Available	High

Fruit/Seed Period Begin:	Fruit/Seed Period End:	Fruit/Seed Persistence:
Summer	Summer	No

Propogated by Bare Root:	Propogated by Bulbs:	Propogated by Container:
Yes	No	Yes

Propogated by Corms:	Propogated by Cuttings:	Propogated by Seed:
No	No	Yes

Propogated by Sod:	Propogated by Sprigs:	Propogated by Tubers:
No	No	No

Seeds per Pound:	Seed Spread Rate:	Seedling Vigor:
4800	Rapid	High

Small Grain:	Vegetative Spread Rate:	Propagation Treatment:
No	None

Days to Stratify:	Direct Sowing Time:

Uses

Benefits:

Berry/Nut/Seed Product:	Christmas Tree Product:	Fodder Product:
No	No	No

Fuelwood Product:	Lumber Product:	Naval Store Product:
High	Yes	Yes

Nursery Stock Product:	Palatable Browse Animal:	Palatable Graze Animal:
Yes	Low	Low

Palatable Human:	Post Product:	Protein Potential:
Yes	No	Low

Pulpwood Product:	Veneer Product:
No	Yes

Benefits:	Wildlife Food Value:	Wildlife Cover Value:

References:

iNaturalist – Prunus serotina
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Prunus serotina
NRCS Plant Guide – Prunus serotina
USDA Plants Database – Prunus serotina
WisFlora Database – Prunus serotina

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