Black Cherry Tree

Description:

The black cherry is a species in the subgenus Padus and is a deciduous tree growing to 15–30 metres (49–98 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70–120 centimetres (28–47 in), occasionally more, with flowers in racemes. The leaves are simple, 6–14 centimetres (2.4–5.5 in) long, with a serrated margin. The flowers are small (10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) diameter), with five white petals and about 20 stamens, and are fragrant; there are around 40 flowers on each raceme. The species epithet, serotina, means "late," and refers to the tree flowering later in the season than many other cherry species. The fruit is a drupe, 1 centimetre (0.39 in) in diameter, green to red at first, ripening to black; it is usually astringent and bitter when eaten fresh, but also somewhat sweet. The fruit is readily eaten by birds.

Habitat:

This cherry is native to eastern North America: from eastern Canada through southern Quebec and Ontario; south through the eastern United States to Texas and central Florida; with disjunct populations in Arizona and New Mexico; and in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala. This one was photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA.

Notes:

It's also called wild black cherry, rum cherry, or mountain black cherry. P. serotina is also a host of caterpillars of various Lepidoptera. The eastern tent caterpillar defoliates entire groves some springs.