Landowner Fact Sheets

black cherry Prunus serotina play

Black cherry is one of the most prized hardwoods of eastern and central U.S. forests. It grows best and is most commercially valuable along the Allegheny Plateau of Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia, and in scattered pockets in the southern Appalachian mountains and uplands of the Gulf Coastal Plain.

range map Click to see more images. fall color wood grain

Light
Clearcutting works if a considerable amount of black cherry undergrowth already exists. Shelterwoods are useful when young black cherries are not prevalent and need to be encouraged.

Water
Black cherry makes its best growth on deep, moist, fertile soils. It can also be found on dry sites.

Growth

Size
Medium sized tree which (on good sites) develops a long, straight, clear bole and can reach heights approaching 100 feet.

Timber Value
Black cherry is used for veneer, furniture, cabinets, paneling, interior trim, handles, crafts, toys, scientific instruments, etc.

Wildlife Value
Many birds and mammals eat black cherry fruits. Deer, rabbits, and hares browse foliage and stems.
Attracts turkeys, many other birds, squirrels, mice, moles, deer, rabbits, hares

Insects and Diseases

Fun Facts
Black cherry leaves, twigs, and bark contain a cyanide precurser that is released whenever plant tissue is damaged (e.g., wilted). Because of this black cherry trees are potentially lethal to livestock. Black cherry trees grow to be the largest of the North American cherries. The fruits can be made into jams and jellies. The wood is a rich red-brown and prized for furniture making.

Latin Meaning
Prunus: Latin name for plum trees from Greek "prunos" (plum or cherry) / serotina: Latin "serus" (late) - late maturing fruit

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Landowner Factsheets © 2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.