Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

common name: 
Black cherry, wild black cherry
 | 
scientific name: 
Prunus
 
serotina
White blossoms and green leaves on a shrub in bright sunlight.

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) in bloom, showing elongated clusters of white flowers in spring.

Image Creadit: 
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a fast-growing native deciduous tree valued for its ecological importance and adaptability. In spring, it produces long, drooping clusters of small white flowers that are attractive to pollinators and add a delicate texture to the landscape. These blooms are followed by small dark purple to black fruits that ripen in late summer and are an important food source for birds and wildlife. The glossy green leaves turn yellow to reddish in fall, while the bark develops a distinctive dark, scaly appearance with age.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Deciduous Tree
Hardiness Zones: 
3, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Part Shade
Water Needs: 
Moist
Space Requirements: 
More than 60 feet
Height Requirements: 
More than 15 feet
Spread Requirements: 
More than 12 feet
Bloom Color: 
White
Bloom Time: 
Spring
Leaf Color: 
Green
Wildlife Attraction: 
Birds
Butterflies
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Clay Soil
Dry Soil
Wet Soil
Air Pollution
Uses: 
Flowering Tree
Naturalize
Rain Garden
Varieties