Black Cherry
(Wide & Flat: Alternate Arrangement) |
| Commonly 50'-75' high, Black cherry grows throughout the State.
It thrives best in fertile alluvial soil but also grows on dry slopes. The hard
reddish-brown wood is highly prized for quality furniture and interior trim. Many
game birds, song birds, and mammals, including black bear, eat the fruits and
seeds. |

Prunus serotina Ehrh
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| Leaves |
| Alternate, simple, 2"-5" long, narrow with tapering
tip, shiny above, paler below and usually with one or more small glands at the
base; margins with short in-curved teeth which distinguish it from other cherries. |
| Twigs |
| Smooth, reddish brown, marked with numerous pale, round lenticels;
often covered with a thin gray coating which rubs off easily. Buds smooth, shiny,
sharp-pointed, reddish brown tinged with green. |
| Fruit |
| Round, black with a purplish tint, 1/3" -1/2" in
diameter, containing a single round, stony seed. Arranged in hanging clusters.
Flowers white, in June. |
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