Black cherry
Also known as
Wild black cherry, American black cherry, Rum cherry, Cabinet cherry, Mountain black cherry
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Black cherry
Prunus serotina, commonly called black cherry, is a large, long-lived deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Mature trees typically reach 50–80 ft (15–24 m), occasionally taller, with a straight trunk and narrow, irregular crown. The bark becomes dark, scaly, and cracked—often compared to burnt potato chips—while young bark is smooth and lenticeled. Leaves are alternate, glossy, and finely serrated, with tiny rusty hairs along the midrib beneath. In mid- to late spring, fragrant white flowers appear in elongated racemes, followed by small green drupes that ripen to purple-black in late summer, relished by birds and wildlife. The ripe fruit is edible for humans, though the seeds and foliage contain cyanogenic compounds. Black cherry’s fine-grained, reddish-brown heartwood is prized for cabinetry and instruments. Ecologically, it is an important pioneer and canopy species in mixed hardwood forests but can be invasive outside its native range. It performs best in deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soils with full sun and shows good drought tolerance once established.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Black cherry
Water
Water newly planted black cherry deeply once or twice weekly during the first two growing seasons, delivering 1–1.5 inches per week including rainfall. Use slow, infrequent soakings to encourage deep rooting; a soaker hose or drip line is ideal. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant and typically needs supplemental water only in prolonged dry spells. In containers, water when the top 1–2 inches are dry and ensure excellent drainage. Avoid chronically wet soils, which predispose roots to rot and cankers.
Light
Provide full sun for best structure, growth rate, and fruiting—at least 6–8 hours of direct light daily. Black cherry tolerates light shade, especially in youth, but persistent deep shade reduces vigor, flowering, and fruit production and increases disease pressure. In reforestation or mixed plantings, allow overhead light gaps as trees mature. For container or nursery culture, transition gradually from partial shade to full sun to prevent leaf scorch.
Nutrients
Black cherry generally needs little fertilizer in the ground if soil is reasonably fertile. For young or container-grown trees, apply a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer (e.g., 5‑3‑2 or 10‑10‑10) in early spring, following label rates. Prioritize soil health: incorporate 2–3 inches of compost or leaf mold annually in the root zone. Avoid high nitrogen late in summer to prevent tender growth and winter injury. Conduct a soil test every 2–3 years to adjust nutrients and lime only if pH is too low.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9, black cherry tolerates severe winter cold (to about −35°F/−37°C) when dormant. Optimal growth occurs with warm days and cool nights, roughly 60–85°F (16–29°C). It tolerates summer heat if soil moisture is adequate, but prolonged >95°F (35°C) with drought can stress trees. Late spring frosts may damage blossoms and reduce fruit set. Provide a wind‑exposed but not desiccating site; young trees benefit from protection from extreme winter winds their first season.
