MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



BLACK CHERRY (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) 



ITOR the economic value of its wood, the Black 

 Cherry is the most important of the native 

 Cherries. It is of common occurrence in all parts of 

 the State, growing on many soils and in many situa- 

 tions, yet preferring moist, rich ground. 



As to habit, though sometimes a mere shrub, it 

 usually reaches a height of thirty to forty feet and 

 acquires a diameter of ten to fifteen inches, at 

 times even exceeding these dimensions. The trunk is 

 usually continuous and the branches are small and 

 horizontal. The head is narrow and oblong. 



BLACK CHERRY 



Leaves and fruit. One-third natural size. 



The bark on young stems is red-brown and some- 

 what lustrous. On the old trunk it is darker and 

 broken into small, irregular plates. The inner bark 

 is bitter to the taste. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, oblong to lance- 

 oblong in shape, three to five inches in length, the 

 margin notched with fine teeth, somewhat leathery in 

 texture and dark green and lustrous on the upper 

 surface. * 



The flowers appear in late May or early June, when 

 the leaves are only half grown. They are small, white 



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