Prunus Species, Mountain Black Cherry, Rum Cherry, Wild Black Cherry

On May 21, 2015, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote:

Some nurseries used to grow this tree in the Midwest. It is a good and pretty tree with great wood, the fruit feeds the birds and it provides foliage food for many beneficial insects as caterpillars that birds need for their young. It gets a good yellow to orange fall color. A common tree found in many places east of the Great Plains in the US and a little in se Canada.Often a wild tree in open fields and forest edges. It lives about 100 to 175 years and grows about 1.5 to 2.5 feet per year.

On Mar 6, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

A very fast-growing, short-lived tree commonly reaching 50-60', native to eastern North America. Excellent for birds and wildlife, and a profitable timber tree where properly managed.

Within its native range, its aggressive reproduction can interfere with forest restoration, where the goal includes species diversity. Where it's been introduced outside its native range, it's become an invasive species (Denmark, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands).

The foliage is toxic to livestock. The tiny black fruits are unpalatably bitter fresh, but have traditionally been used for wine or jelly.

In the garden or small property, I give this thumbs-down. It does not make an ornamental specimen, even in full bloom. The flowers are tiny and I don't find them at ... read moreall showy. I also find them mildly malodorous. The foliage is consistently troubled by tent caterpillars and webworms, and the twigs are commonly disfigured by black knot fungus.

Like most cherries, it has thirsty, competitive roots. It is short-lived. It self-sows weedily and aggressively. The wood is brittle and presents a hazard when it breaks. And the cherries stain everything black when they fall, those that the birds leave. Should be avoided near walkways, because the seeds can make for treacherous footing (they're like little ball bearings).

On Sep 19, 2011, Halfspied from Star, NC (Zone 7b) wrote:

They are all through our woods. I don't mind the tent caterpillars because I think they bring the cuckoos to us.

On Mar 17, 2008, peachespickett from Huntington, AR wrote:

Invaluable wildlife plant, in addition to feeding a myriad of animals over 70 species of birds eat black cherries. Beautiful bark, flowers and foliage. We have many growing on overgrown parts of our property, so we clear the briars and honeysuckles off of them and prune them up nicely. Last year (2007) we had an April 8 hard freeze which killed the flowers on most of the trees, and I didn't see a single cherry anywhere in this part of Western Arkansas.

On Jan 30, 2006, raisedbedbob from Walkerton, VA (Zone 7a) wrote:

Native to this zone, this tree is common here. As others have noted, it is brittle and attracts all sorts of pests. I wouldn't erradicate them, but I wouldn't plant one either.

On Jan 22, 2005, Toxicodendron from Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:

Although this is a good tree for wildlife and makes wonderful firewood and furniture, I dislike it because I get literally thousands of seedlings each spring to pull out or spray with herbicide. Do not locate near your flower beds or vegetable garden for this reason. In the woods, the seedlings can choke out other types of vegetation, but if there is dense shade, most of them will die off naturally.

On Jan 1, 2005, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote:

This tree can get quite large...up to 80'. My aunt had one that was at least that tall, a huge tree that produced vast amounts of fruit.

The wood is valuable as lumber and furniture, but ,as stated above, the tent caterpillars are kind of gross. Be sure to plant away from walkways and gutters and give it plenty of room.

I like this tree...it provides food for wildlife and is a nice shade tree when fully grown. The berries make a nice jelly.

The branches give off a distinct smell when broken and young growth is smooth and reddish.

On Mar 16, 2004, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote:

My parents had one of these trees and I always gave it wide berth because of the tent caterpillars and fall webworms, which I could not stand. My dad always said that it was a dirty tree, though he said that wild cherry lumber is valuable for making furniture.

On Feb 2, 2002, activex wrote:

The cherry tree is a widely favored species. From the beautiful spring blossoms to the desirable wood of this species is the more favorable member of the rose family. The bark of this tree is also used in cough syrups. (Apples and plums also belong to the rose family.)

The Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is not so favorable to cattle and dairy farmers because when the leaves fall from the tree and decomposes, it produces glucose and cyanic acid which is highly toxic to cattle and some other farm animals.

What to look for: The tree is tall with an oblong elliptical crown. Leaves are finely saw-toothed, shiny dark green above, lighter below with 1 or 2 dark red glands at the base..

Habitat: Hardwood forests with moist soils. Found sometimes in... read more stands.

Size: 60 - 80 feet tall. Leaves 2 - 6 inches long.