Bring elegance and natural beauty to your garden with the Black Cherry Tree, known scientifically as Prunus serotina. This North American native fruit tree produces beautiful clusters of fragrant white blossoms in spring, followed by small, dark purple-black cherries that attract songbirds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
Admired for both its ornamental beauty and hardwood quality, the Black Cherry is a wonderful choice for home orchards, landscaping, and reforestation projects. Its sweet-scented flowers make it a standout in any garden, while its fruits can be used for jams, jellies, or wine.
Features
- 🌸 Fragrant White Flowers: Adds beauty and aroma to spring gardens.
- 🌳 Versatile Tree: Perfect for home gardens, wildlife habitats, and landscaping.
- 🍒 Edible Fruits: Dark cherries ripen in late summer and attract birds.
- 🌿 Hardy & Adaptable: Thrives in a range of soil types and climates.
- 🌞 Fast-Growing: Reaches up to 60–80 feet when mature under ideal conditions.
- 🌱 Non-GMO & Untreated Seeds: Naturally grown and ready for germination.
Specifications
- Common Name: Black Cherry Tree
- Scientific Name: Prunus serotina
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
- Zones: USDA 3–9
- Mature Height: 50–80 ft
- Spread: 30–60 ft
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy soil
- Soil pH: 5.5–7.5
- Watering: Moderate; water regularly until established
- Temperature Range: -30°F to 95°F (-34°C to 35°C)
- Bloom Season: Spring (April–May)
- Fruit Season: Late summer to early fall
- Germination Time: 2–4 months (requires stratification)
- Tree Lifespan: 100+ years under ideal conditions
- Pollination: Self-pollinating but better yield with cross-pollination
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Uses: Shade tree, fruit harvest, ornamental planting, and wildlife support
Planting Guide
- Cold Stratify Seeds: Mix seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 90–120 days to break dormancy.
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: After stratification, sow seeds ¼ inch deep in well-drained soil.
- Light & Temperature: Keep in a bright, warm spot (65–75°F / 18–24°C).
- Transplanting: Once seedlings are strong, transplant outdoors after frost has passed.
- Spacing: Plant 20–30 feet apart for optimal growth.
- Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy during the first year.
- Care: Mulch around base and prune in late winter to shape young trees.
Care Tips
- Avoid overwatering; once established, the tree is drought-tolerant.
- Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring.
- Protect young plants from deer and rodents.
- Ideal for mixed woodlands, gardens, and large yards.
