Wild cherry

The wild cherry is arguably the most ornamental of our native woodland trees. The 'avium' in the latin name refers to birds which eat the cherries as soon as they are ripe.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Idath (Old Irish) Crab Cherry Hawkberry Mazzard Merry Gean
Generic name	Cherry
Latin name	Prunus avium
Family name	Rose
Latin family name	Rosaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	18-25m

Leaf

Description	Irregular coarse blunt teeth. Under the main veins the leaves are finely hairy
Shape	Oval
Size	Up to 11cm long and 6cm wide
Colour	Dark green
Colour of leaves in autumn	A mix of yellow and crimson
Leaf bud	Long buds which are clustered together
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate
Leaf burst usually occurs	Mid-spring

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Clustered/grouped flowers
Flower size	2cm across
Flowering season	Early April
Fruit colour	Red when ripe
Fruit season	Mid-summer
Type of seed body	Fruit
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Purplish grey with horizontal markings. The papery bark can peel off to reveal rich shiny-red patches underneath
Twig Description	Hairless, brown with a grey bloom

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	A number of closely related cherry species

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Frequent in most conditions prefers rich/heavy soils. Abundantly planted in parks and streets
What is its British conservation status?	Occasional

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber

The timber is prized for furniture, wood-turning and carving because of the rich reddish-brown colour. The wood is also used as a fuel as it burns with a fragrant smell similar to that of the flowers. Wild cherries are said to be the best type to use in cherry brandy. The sticky resin has been used by children and forestry workers as a bitter-sweet chewing gum. It was thought to promote a good complexion and eyesight and help to cure coughs.

Tree lore and folklore

In Japan cherry is the national tree and the blossom is the national symbol. Cherry trees are planted in memory of those who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In England they have also been planted around the Peace Pagoda at Milton Keynes.

Wild cherry mid spring

Wild cherry fruit and leaves

Wild cherry flowers and leaves

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