Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
*EDIBLE Fruit - Tree
Pitted fruit can be eaten raw, used for flavoring, or used to make wine or jelly.
Description
Found statewide on a variety of sites from moist fertile bottoms to dry gravelly upland soils. The lumber is second only to walnut in demand as a fine hardwood. The flowers are white clusters 2 to 4 inches long. The red to black fruits ripen in August and are abundant nearly every year. Numerous species of birds and wildlife eat the fruit. Leaves turn yellow to red in the fall. Height at maturity is 60 ft.
Uses
This species can be commonly used for erosion control and reforestation. Wildlife benefits are food and cover. Get more information about Black Cherry
*Information provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.