Black cherry
4
5
2Will it grow where I live?
Black cherry is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.
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Profile
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Height
- 18 m
- Spread
- 9.1 m
- Growth
- fast
- Lifespan
- 150 years
- First yield
- after 5 years
- Hardiness
- zone 3–9
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam
- Soil moisture
- dry – moist
- pH
- 5 – 7.5
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering |
Uses
⚠️ Hazards
Toxic kernels and leaves, toxic to dogs, cats and horses As in all Prunus species, the seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed or crushed. A single intact stone swallowed by accident is harmless, larger quantities of chewed kernels are not, and home-made kernel extracts are best avoided. The same plant parts are considered toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The flesh of the fruit itself is harmless. The gum that exudes from wounds indicates pruning at the wrong time of year, not a hazard.
Frequently asked questions
Black cherry: how big does it get?
Black cherry (Prunus serotina) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 18 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 9.1 m. Growth is fast.
Black cherry: what site does it need?
Black cherry tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5 and 7.5.
Black cherry: is it hardy?
Black cherry is listed as hardy in zone 3–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Black cherry: will it grow in Central Europe?
Black cherry is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.
Black cherry: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers in June.
Black cherry: is it poisonous?
No toxicity is recorded for Black cherry. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.
Black cherry: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 4/10, Medicinal 5/10, Other uses 2/10.
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Community experience
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