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Cherry plum

Although described as an 'untidy' tree in shape is it much valued for its pretty white flowers which are often the first flowers to appear at the end of winter.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Myrobalan Plum
Generic name	Plum
Latin name	Prunus cerasifera
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	6-8m

Leaf

Description	The slender leaves are often widest over half-way along. There are downy hairs on the underneath of the veins. Leaf stalks are reddish
Shape	Oval
Colour	Fresh green
Leaf stalk	Short stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Singular flower
Flowering season	February
Fruit colour	Some trees have yellow fruit and some have red fruit
Fruit season	Late summer
Type of seed body	Fruit
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Dark grey developing wide fissures with age
Twig Description	Green shoots which have a fine hair when very young

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Various cherries- most of these have clustered flowers slightly later in the year and smaller fruits

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Non-native - naturalised
Where is its natural range?	South east Europe and west Asia
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Often found in hedgerows
What is its British conservation status?	Common

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber	This tree is valued for its attractive flowers which appear earlier in the year than almost anything else. There are many cultivated varieties that look similar. Young trees are often used as understocks (a root on to which another plant is grafted) for domestic plums.
Tree lore and folklore	The second part of the Latin name -Cerasifera means ‘bearing cherry-like fruits’.

Flowers before leaves

Fruit yellow to red

Small flowers and leaves

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees

©2012 The Woodland Trust