Prunus avium
(L.) L
Sweet cherry, Bird cherry, Wild cherry
(c) John D Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John D Reynolds
(c) Ihor Olshanskyi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ihor Olshanskyi
(c) Σάββας Ζαφειρίου (Savvas Zafeiriou), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Σάββας Ζαφειρίου (Savvas Zafeiriou)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds, Leaves - flavouring, Sap
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked in pies, or used to make preserves. It is sweet or bitter but not acid, and contains about 78% water and 8.5–14% sugars. Each fruit is about 20mm in diameter with one large seed. The seed is also edible raw or cooked, but should be avoided if too bitter. An edible gum is obtained by wounding the bark.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. It can tolerate frosts except at flowering. It needs well drained soils. It needs adequate moisture during fruit development. In India it is grown between 2,000-2,500 m altitude. It needs 1,100-1,600 chilling hours below 7°C during winter. A pH of 6.5-7 is best. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Asia Minor, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus*, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Czech, Dagestan, Denmark, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Myanmar, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia,
How to Identify
A medium sized tree. It grows to 10-20 m high. It is spreading and loses its leaves during the year. The bark is silver grey and peels in circular strips. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are bronze when they open, turn dark green then change to crimson in autumn. The leaves are oval and double toothed. The upper surface is dull dark green. They are hairy underneath where the veins join. The leaf stalk is red and grooved. The flowers are pink and white. They occur in small clusters. The fruit are small and red-black when ripe. They are 25 mm across. They are sweet and juicy. There are at least 1,000 different forms of sweet cherry.
Nutrition Score: 32/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 80.8 | 301 | 72 | 1.2 | 21 | 7 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
How to Grow
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present. A very ornamental plant, it is fast growing on deep moist soils but is shallow rooting. Trees cast a light shade and are themselves intolerant of heavy shade. They produce quite a lot of suckers and can form thickets, especially if the main trunk is felled. This species is a parent of many cultivated forms of sweet cherries, especially the black fruited forms. Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, sweet cherries can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall though east or north facing walls are not very suitable. The main problems with growing this species against a wall are firstly that it is usually completely self-sterile and so there needs to be space for at least two different cultivars, secondly it is very vigorous and so is difficult to keep within bounds. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. An excellent tree for insects and the fruit is a good food source for birds. A bad companion for potatoes, making them more susceptible to potato blight, it also suppresses the growth of wheat. It also grows badly with plum trees, its roots giving out an antagonistic secretion. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. Harvesting typically occurs in late summer to early autumn, with specific timing varying by species. For instance, plums and peaches are usually harvested from July to September (Northern Hemisphere), while almonds are harvested in August to September (Northern Hemisphere). Prunus species usually flower in early spring, often between March and April (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the species and local climate. Growth rates vary among species, but generally, Prunus trees can grow moderately fast, often reaching full height in 3 to 5 years. However, they may take several years to bear fruit, depending on the species and growing conditions. Agroforestry uses: Prunus species can be used as windbreaks and in alley cropping systems. They also improve biodiversity by providing habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. Some varieties can fix nitrogen in the soil, contributing to soil health.
Propagation: Seed requires 2–3 months of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible, with protection from mice. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking 18 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter in a greenhouse or cold frame, then plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. Half-ripe wood cuttings with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants can be taken in spring to early summer in a frame. Suckers can be divided during the dormant season and planted directly into permanent positions. Layering can be done in spring.
Medicinal Uses
The fruit stalks are astringent, diuretic and tonic; a decoction is used to treat cystitis, oedema, bronchial complaints, looseness of the bowels and anaemia. Small incisions in the trunk yield an aromatic resin that has been used as an inhalant for persistent coughs. All members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to release hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.
Other Uses
Wild cherry is a pioneer species that quickly colonises clearings by seed and suckering to form secondary woodland, though it is often later out-competed by other hardwoods. It is used extensively in Europe for afforestation of agricultural land and is valued for wildlife and amenity plantings. Flowers provide a good source of pollen and nectar for bees. This species is a poor companion for potatoes, increasing their susceptibility to blight, and also suppresses wheat growth; its roots produce an antagonistic secretion that affects nearby plum trees. The leaves yield a green dye and the fruit a dark grey to green dye. The root bark contains the dye phlorizin, and the wood contains xylan. The seed contains around 30% oil. The bark usually contains small amounts of tannin, though this can rise to 16%. The heartwood is pinkish-brown and the sapwood red, with a fine, straight grain and satiny texture. The wood is firm, compact and generally free from defects — a valuable, attractive timber that is easy to work, used for turnery, furniture, cabinet making, panelling and musical instruments. The red sapwood is particularly valued in turnery and woodwork. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Fruits support birds and mammals, and the trees provide shelter, nesting and roosting sites. Bark and leaf litter offer overwintering habitat for invertebrates.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Prunus avium, commonly called wild cherry, sweet cherry or gean, is a species of cherry, a flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized elsewhere. It is an ancestor of P. cerasus (sour cherry). All parts of the plant except for the ripe fruit are slightly toxic, containing cyanogenic glycosides. The species is often cultivated as an ornamental tree.
Production
Trees produce in 3-4 years. Trees last about 45 years. Fruit are hand picked when ripe. A tree can produce 18-20 kg of fruit.
Other Information
It is a cultivated food plant.
Notes
There are about 200 Prunus species.
Names & Synonyms
Bali, Cerejeira, Cereza, Cerezo, Cerezos bordes, Cerise douce, Cheresh-nya, Ciliegia dolce, Ciliegio selvatico, Cirerer bord, Cseresznye, Diva cresha, Gean, Gilas, Griota, Kanka outou, Kersen, Kiraz, Kirsi, Krusbal, Mazzard, Morell, Ou zhou, Qershi, Siryizyi, Tian ying tao, Vadvseresznye, Visni, Vogelkirsche
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