Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Black Cherry
In spring , the flowers...
In spring , the flowers...
This is our native wild black cherry.
I find the flavor to be somewhat bitter, but also sweet … a rich flavor really.
Black cherry is a very common tree in eastern US.
In spring , the flowers...
In spring , the flowers...
In spring , the flowers...
Black cherry flowers (and the fruits)
grow in elongated clusters called racemes.
Then, the fruit...
In spring , the flowers...
A look at the leaf edges
See the resemblance to the flower cluster?
The fruit is about 1/3 inch across with a thin layer of flesh around a single hard pit.
Only the flesh is edible. So spit out the pit, just like with ordinary cherries.
A look at the leaf edges
A look at the leaf edges
A look at the leaf edges
Black cherry leaves are finely serrated along the edges.
The leaf underside
A look at the leaf edges
The leaf underside
Look at the back of a few leaves. On older leaves, there will be hairs along the mid-rib near the stem.
The hairs will be light, turning a darker rust or brown color later on.
Search the larger leaves on the tree. If it’s black cherry, you’ll find the hairs.
Burnt cornflakes
A look at the leaf edges
The leaf underside
Long ago a friend told me that black cherry bark looks like “burnt cornflakes” and that’s how I’ve identified it ever since!
The bark on older trees breaks up into these small, rough plates. Really helps in identification.