Black Cherry

A popular flavoring for sodas, many ice creams, cooking and smoking foods, jam and pies, the Black Cherry is a favorite for its sweet, dusky purple fruit. It is hardy, fast growing and long-lived, with oval leaves that have thinly pointed tips. Fiery yellow to orange red colors make their appearance in Autumn, with fragrant small white flowers blooming in May. When a young twig is scratched, it has an almond-like odor and cherry timber is considered the Premier timber for cabinetry. Fruit is enjoyed by the mallard, turkey, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, pheasant, many woodpeckers, and a wide variety of others. However, farmers are recommended to remove any trees that fall in a field containing livestock, because the wilted leaves could poison the animals.