Wild cherry - Prunus avium

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Wild cherry - Prunus avium
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

The wild cherry is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with a very straight trunk. The bark is shiny brown and peels away in horizontal strips. The masses of snow white blossom appear before the leaves, in April. Clusters of small cherries are produced in July, ripening from green through red to black by midsummer. They provide food for a variety of birds, including the rare and elusive hawfinch which can actually crush the stones with its massive bill.

The leaves have long forward- pointing teeth on crimson stalks. In autumn they turn a mosaic of vivid reds and yellows. This tree can grow quite large and is not suitable for coppicing, so is not ideal for a small garden.

Animals

Badger, Blackbird, Blackcap, Eyed hawk-moth, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Wood mouse, Yellow-necked mouse

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, April to May
Moisture	(Average)
Sunlight	(Full sun to Part-shade)
Origin	Native