BLACK CHERRY

Black Cherry Tree

The Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is a native North American treasure that earns its place in the landscape through every season. In spring, it dazzles with long, drooping clusters of fragrant white blossoms that attract pollinators by the dozens. By late summer, those blooms give way to small, dark red-to-black cherries — beloved by songbirds and wildlife, and prized for making jams, jellies, and cherry wine.

Beyond its ornamental and edible appeal, Black Cherry is one of the most valuable native hardwoods in North America, with rich reddish-brown wood that deepens beautifully with age. Its glossy dark green leaves turn shades of yellow and red in fall, capping off a four-season performance that few trees can match.

• Mature size: 50–80 ft tall, 30–60 ft wide
• Fragrant white flower clusters in spring — excellent pollinator support
• Dark red-black cherries in late summer, attractive to birds and wildlife
• Rich reddish-brown hardwood — one of North America’s most prized native timbers
• Yellow to red fall foliage color
• Adaptable to a wide range of soils; drought tolerant once established
• Full sun — USDA Zones 3–9