Prunus serotina
Black Cherry
Also known as Wild Cherry, Mountain Black Cherry and Rum Cherry, the Black Cherry tree is the largest of our native cherry species and a member of the rose family. As its name suggests, the tree produces edible fruit which are traditionally used in syrups and infusions. Black Cherry bark starts out as reddish-brown and smooth and later matures into dark gray-brown scales. Some compare the mature bark to burnt potato chips. In the spring, the Black Cherry displays beautiful drooping white flower clusters. Later in the summer, the fruit ripens from dark red to purple-black—a favorite of the birds. Black Cherry provides an important source of nectar and pollen for honeybees and bumblebees and is a host plant for hundreds of butterfly and moth species, including the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Small-eyed Sphinx and Dowdy Pinion. Black Cherry’s richly-colored reddish-brown wood is prized by furniture makers.