Tall, narrow tree. Dark green leaves in summer, turning a good yellow to red in fall. Beautiful white flowers droop like long tassles from the branches in May. Lots of red fruit ripen to black in September. Gray-black scaly bark that peels is very attractive. Edible fruit can be messy and seedlings can be troublesome in garden situations if not tended. Great food source for birds.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Orange, Red, Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
50 to
60
feet
Spread:
20 to
30
feet
Size
Height: 50 to
60
feet
Spread: 20 to
30
feet
Size
Height: 50 to
60
feet
Spread: 20 to
30
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Shade tree specimen. Valuable wood for furniture, fruit is edible and suitable for jelly and wine-making.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Tolerant of many soil types, from wet to dry. Full sun-partial shade. Fast growing.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.