Black Cherry

Black cherry is the common name for *Prunus serotina*, a deciduous tree in the rose family native to North America.

Black cherry is the common name for *Prunus serotina*, a deciduous tree in the rose family native to North America. It produces small dark red to nearly black drupes that are edible but bitter-sweet, and it is also valued for its timber and wildlife use. Black cherry is native to parts of eastern Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, and it is relevant to Canadian forestry, wildlife habitat, and hardwood production.

Description

Black cherry is a fast-growing deciduous tree with dark reddish-brown to nearly black bark that becomes fissured with age. Its bark and leaves can emit a bitter almond-like odor when damaged, and the fruit ripens to a dark purple or black colour in late summer.

Range and habitat

The species is native to much of eastern North America and also occurs in parts of western North America, Mexico, and Guatemala. It commonly grows in mixed forests and does best in rich, moist, well-drained soils.

Uses

Black cherry has long been used for timber, especially in furniture, cabinetry, paneling, and other fine woodworking. The fruit has also been used in jellies, preserves, wine, and flavouring for alcoholic drinks such as brandy and liqueurs.

Ecology and toxicity

The fruit is eaten by birds and mammals and is an important food source in forest ecosystems. However, the leaves, twigs, and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds that can release prussic acid when consumed raw, making the plant toxic to livestock and potentially dangerous in other contexts.