Prunus serotina
Specifications
Family
Rosaceae
Species
Prunus serotina Ehrh.
cherry
black cherry
rum cherry
whisky cherry
Description
The wood is differentiated, with a yellowish sapwood and a greenish-brown heartwood that takes on reddish or dark reddish-brown hues when dried. It has a fine texture and regular grain, and is slightly scented. The density at normal moisture content ranges from 0.50 to 0.70. Drying occurs normally and with moderate shrinkage: working is easy and yields a good final result. The mechanical strength is good.
Plant morphology
It can reach 25-30 m in height. When young, the bark is thin and smooth, similar to birch bark, then over time becomes fissured, scaly, and increasingly dark, almost black. The leaves are alternate, oval, and lanceolate, with finely serrated edges. The inflorescence is a raceme with numerous white, five-petalled flowers. The fruits are clusters of purple berries that turn almost black when ripe.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
North America: from Canada (southern Quebec and Ontario) to the United States, particularly the East Coast, but also Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala. In northern Italy, it is spreading rapidly, tending to form monospecific forests at the expense of native flora and requiring eradication.
Habitat and ecology
It grows between sea level and 1,800 m above sea level in a wide variety of forest habitats, although it prefers mesophilous environments. The germination rate is quite high because the seeds are widely dispersed by birds that eat and then excrete the fruits, and the seeds can remain on the ground and germinate even after several years.
Uses
Application areas
It is used for interior design, fine furniture, cabinet making, decorative veneers.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Not reported.
Conservation measures
Populations of this species are healthy and no specific in situ conservation measures are planned. This species is also present in 155 ex situ collections (BGCI 2018).
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2018
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2018
Not present.
Miscellaneous
Branches, bark and leaves contain cyanide which is released when they fall to the ground and wither, so they can cause poisoning problems if fed to domestic livestock.