A wild cherry tree is a common native species found across North America, typically identified as the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) or the European Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) in other regions. Identifying this tree relies on recognizing distinct physical characteristics that change with maturity and the seasons. By observing the bark, the foliage, and the appearance of its flowers and fruit, one can reliably distinguish a wild cherry from other forest or roadside trees throughout the year.
Identifying Features of Wild Cherry Bark and Trunk
The bark of a wild cherry tree offers one of the most reliable identification markers, particularly during the winter months. On young trees, the bark is notably smooth, thin, and dark gray to reddish-brown, marked by prominent horizontal lines called lenticels. The slender, reddish-brown twigs also possess a distinct, bitter almond-like scent when scratched, which is due to cyanogenic compounds within the bark.
As the tree ages, the bark undergoes a dramatic transformation, developing a much darker, nearly black hue. Mature wild cherry bark becomes heavily scaly, rough, and deeply furrowed, often peeling upward at the edges in small, irregular plates. This texture is frequently compared to burnt potato chips or cornflakes, a unique visual trait. In a dense forest setting, the Black Cherry typically develops a tall, straight trunk, while open-grown trees form a broader crown with more spreading branches.
Describing Wild Cherry Foliage
The leaves of the wild cherry tree are simple and arranged alternately along the branches. They are typically elliptical or oval to lance-shaped, measuring between two and five inches in length. The upper surface of the leaf is a glossy, dark green color during the growing season.
The leaf margins are finely serrated. A specific detail that aids identification is the presence of one or more reddish glands found near the base of the leaf blade, often along the mid-vein on the underside. These glands may also feature fine, rusty-colored hairs as the leaves mature. In the autumn, the foliage shifts to shades of yellow and occasionally rose or red before dropping.
Flowers and Fruit: Seasonal Identification Clues
The wild cherry tree produces a profusion of small, white, five-petaled flowers in the spring. These blooms appear in slender, drooping clusters known as racemes, which can be four to six inches long and contain dozens of individual flowers. Unlike some cultivated cherries, the flowers of Prunus serotina emerge concurrently with the new leaves in late spring.
Following the bloom, the tree produces its characteristic fruit, which is a small, round drupe, or stone fruit, growing in the same hanging clusters. The fruit begins as a light green color, progressing to red and finally ripening to a dark purple or nearly black hue from mid-to-late summer. These dark fruits measure about one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Although the ripe fruit is edible and often used for jams or flavoring, it possesses an astringent or bitter taste when eaten raw. The fruit provides a food source for numerous species of birds and mammals, who help to disperse the seeds.