Black cherry is a large, native tree found in the Midwest and throughout the eastern United States.

Its showy white flowers appear as pendulous clusters in early spring, followed by dark, pea-sized fruits in late summer.

The mature bark is dark and scaly, often flipping up on the edges.

This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.  

• Family (English) Rose

• Family (botanic) Rosaceae

• Planting site Residential and parks

• Tree or plant type Tree

• Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)

• Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America

• Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)

• Mature height 50-60 feet

• Mature width 20-30 feet

• Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)

• Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

• Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil

• Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Road salt

• Season of interest early spring, mid spring, early fall, mid fall

• Flower color and fragrance White

• Shape or form Pyramidal

• Growth rate Fast

• Transplants well Yes

• Planting considerations Aggressive, Highly susceptible to ice damage, Messy fruit/plant parts

• WildlifeCavity-nesting birds, Game birds, Game mammals, Insect pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds

• Has cultivars No

From The Morton Arboretum

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