Fifty Common Trees of New York 51 



41. WILD BLACK CHERRY 



(Prunus serotina Ehrhart) 



Wild Mack cherry is the largest of the cherry trees found in New 

 York State. It prefers rieh, bottomlands, and moist hillsides, but is also 

 found in drier situations. It is common in most sections of the State, 



WILD BLACK CHERRY 



Twig-, two-thirds natural size ; lead:, one- 

 third natural size ; fruit, one-half natural 

 eize 



though seldom found above an altitude of 3000 feet in the Adirondack^. 

 Its wood is light, strong, hard, close-grained with pale reddish brown 

 heartwood and is much in demand for cabinetmaking, interior finishing, 

 tools, and ties. It is a most valuable fast-growing timber tree and 

 should be encouraged in every woodlot. 



Bark — at first smooth, reddish brown in color, marked with easily 

 seen long, white breathing pores ; with age becoming much roughened by 

 irregular, close, dark scaly circular plates with upturned edges. 



Twigs — slender, smooth, reddish brown in color, having bitter almond 

 taste which is characteristic of all cherries. 



Winter buds — smooth, egg-shaped, from % to % inch long, sharp- 

 pointed, chestnut brown in color ; terminal bud present. 



Leaves — alternate, simple, from 2 to 5 inches long, broader than are 

 those of pin cherry, fairly long-pointed, finely toothed. 



Fruit — a single-seeded juicy fruit, about % inch in diameter, grouped 

 on very short stems, in long scattering, drooping clusters, purplish black 

 when ripe in late summer. Birds and animals eat the fruit, though its 

 flavor is decidedly bitter. 



