Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Quick Facts

• Type: tree
• Size: 40-60 ft tall
• Sun: full
• Water: moderate
• Soil: Well-drained soils
• USDA zones: 7-9

Spring bee flowers, summer bird cherries, and host to tiger swallowtail caterpillars.

Fast-growing North Florida native; the fruit is for wildlife – tart enough to pucker a person.

In the Landscape

A fast-growing native cherry with fragrant spring flower clusters and dark bark. Good for quick canopy and wildlife plantings on larger lots. Keep away from livestock areas — wilted leaves are toxic to grazing animals.

Care & Propagation

Plant in fall, 20-30 feet from structures. Adaptable and fast. Short-lived for a tree (often 30-50 years in landscapes) — plan successors. Tent caterpillars may defoliate it some springs; the tree almost always recovers.

Seeds need cold stratification; sow in fall. Fast-growing from seed; seedlings pop up readily under mature trees.

Wildlife Value

Fruits feed dozens of songbird species, turkeys, and mammals. A top-tier caterpillar host — over 400 butterfly and moth species use wild cherries, making it one of the most important bird-food trees in the East.

🌱 Fun fact: Black cherry wood is the prized cabinet wood of American furniture — rich red-brown and beautifully grained. Your fast-growing backyard cherry is standing furniture-grade timber.

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🌴 In Florida

Fast-growing North Florida native; the fruit is for wildlife – tart enough to pucker a person.

🌿 Keep exploring

More Florida natives worth meeting:

• Alachua bully (Sideroxylon alachuense)
• American Elm (Ulmus americana)
• American Holly (Ilex opaca)