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BLACK CHERRY (Wild Cherry) 



{Prunus serotina Erh.) 



A medium-sized tree, up to about 70 feet high 

 and 1 to 3 feet in diameter, black cherry as a 

 tree is at its best in the high mountains. The forest- 

 grewn trees have long clear trunks with little taper ; 

 open-grown trees have short trunks with many 

 branches and irregular spreading crowns. The bark 

 on branches and young trunks is smooth and bright 



BLACK CHERRY 



Twig, two-thirds natural si/t. 



Leaf, one-third natural size. 



reddish brown, marked by conspicuous, narrow, 

 white, horizontal lines, and has a bitter-almond 

 taste. On the older trunks the bark becomes rough 

 and broken into thick, irregular plates. 



The leaves are alternate, simple, oval to lance-like 

 in shape, with edges broken by many fine incurved 

 teeth, thick and shiny above, and paler beneath. 



The fruit is dull purplish black, about as large 

 as a pea, and is borne in long hanging clusters. 

 It ripens in late summer, and is edible, although 

 it ha»s a slightly bitter taste. 



The wood is reddish brown with yellowish sap- 

 wood, moderately heavy, hard, strong, fine-grained, 

 and does not warp or split in seasoning. It is 

 valuable for its lustre and color and is used for 

 furniture, interior finish, tools, and implement han- 

 dles. With tjhe exception of black walnut, the 

 cherry lumber has a greater unit value than any 

 other hardwood of the eastern United States. 



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