Leaf: Alternate, simple; slightly thickened; blades oblong or oval, short-pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, up to 6 inches long and about 1/3 as broad; finely saw-toothed along the edges with curved or blunt teeth; dark green, smooth, and shiny on the upper surface; paler and smooth on the lower surface except for rusty hairs along the veins; leafstalks slender, slightly less than 1 inch long, smooth, with 1 or more reddish glands near the base; turning yellow or reddish in autumn.
Flower: Crowded in showy, drooping, elongated clusters up to 6 inches long at the end of a leafy twig, appearing when the leaves are partly grown in the spring, each flower about 1/4 inch (6 mm) across, with 5 rounded white petals.
Fruit: Fleshy, juicy, slightly bitter, spherical cherry; dark red turning dark purple or blackish, up to 1/2 inch ( 12 mm) in diameter, produced in elongated, drooping racemes; elliptical stone; ripening from June to October.
Twig: Slender, smooth, dark brown to red-brown, hairless; leaf scars half-round, each with 3 bundle traces; buds ovoid, sharp0pointed, dark brown, smooth, up to 1/4 inch (6 mm) long.
Bark: Smooth, reddish-brown to almost black, smooth, with conspicuous, horizontal, dash-like lenticels on younger trees; becoming irregularly fissured and scaly, exposing reddish-brown inner bark, exfoliating into into thin, light gray to black, squarish scales with upturned edges; bitter and aromatic.
Form:
Medium tree up to 75 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 3 feet; crown rounded, with
rigid branches.
Discussion
The wood is light weight, hard, strong, close-grained, and light reddish-brown. It is prized for furniture, cabinetry, paneling, professional and scientific instruments, handles, printer's blocks, toys, caskets, and the actions of pianos and organs. Seasoned black cherry wood does not warp, finishes beautifully, and is shock-resistant.
The almond-flavored hydrocyanic acid of the leaves and inner bark was once used in tonics and cough medicine. This compound may cause cyanide poisoning in cattle and deer browsing on wilted twigs and foliage in the fall, although fresh new leaves seem to be edible to deer. The tart, juicy fruits are relished by birds and small mammals, helping to distribute the seeds. Appalachian black bears eat the fruits, which also make tasty jams and wine. The seeds should not be swallowed as they contain cyanide.
One of the first New World trees introduced into English gardens, it was
recorded as early as 1629. As many as 5 geographical varieties have been
distinguished. Although it is a relatively fast grower and has ornamental
flowers, it is generally not recommended for use as a street tree as the fruit
can produce a messy litter and the species is prone to tent caterpillar attack.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The wild black cherry is similar to the choke cherry but usually is a larger
tree with thicker leaves and with the teeth tending to curve inward.
Crushed foliage and bark have distinctive cherrylike odor and bitter taste.
Distribution
Nova Scotia across to Ontario, south to Texas, east to Florida.
Images
Click each small picture to see a larger image.
Location
N 39.2756° W
-89.8539°
Near 50m stake of Illinois ForestWatch Transect
2, Denby Forest, Rte.108 East, Carlinville, Macoupin County, IL.
Copyright
Photos © 2002 Elaine Link, Carlinville High School, linke@carlinvilleschools.net
References
Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Forest Trees of Illinois, 1996, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Elbert L. Little, Field Guide to Trees: Eastern Region, 1980, Alfred A. Knopf.
Iowa State University, Biology Department
http://project.bio.iastate.edu/trees/campustrees/index_botanical.html
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Carlinville High School
