MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



WILD RED CHERRY (Bird Cherry) 



(Prunus pennsylvanica L. f.) 



THE Wild Red Cherry is a tree of little value, which 

 often takes possession of areas cleared by fire. It 

 occurs in the State, being more abundant in the central 

 and western sections than elsewhere. While it grows 

 in a variety of situations, it really prefers a moist, 

 rich soil. 



In habit it is a small tree, seldom exceeding a height 

 of twenty -five to thirty feet and a diameter of ten 

 inches. The trunk is continuous and the branches 

 slender. The head is narrow and roundish or oblong. 



WILD RED CHERRY 



Leaves, flowers and fruit. One-third natural size. 



The bark on the young trunk is smooth and red- 

 dish brown, while in the old it is dark red-brown and 

 broken into thin plates. The inner bark possesses 

 bitter, aromatic properties. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, oblong or lance- 

 shape, three to four inches in length, finely toothed 

 on the margin and bright green and lustrous on the 

 upper surface. 



The flowers appear in May when the leaves are 

 about half grown. They are white and occur in clus- 

 ters of four or five. 



The fruit is globular in shape, a little larger than 

 a pea and bright red. 



The wood is light and soft and without economic 

 value. 



51 



