Is the fruit safe to eat?

Yes, the flesh of the ripe fruit is safe and tasty, but you must avoid the pits.

It is a relatively fast growing tree when provided with adequate sunlight and moisture.

Plant guide

Black cherry.

Prunus serotina

Pronounced PROO-nus seh-RO-tih-nah

Also known as Black Cherry, Black Chokecherry, Rum Cherry, Rum Cherry, Black Cherry

The black cherry is a beautiful native North American tree known for its dark, flaky bark and clusters of white flowers. It produces small, dark fruits that are a favorite among local birds. You will find it thrives best in open, sunny spaces where it has plenty of room to grow.

Another photo of Black cherry — Photo by Alan Prather (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 50 to 80 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot that receives full sun to encourage healthy development and fruit production. Keep an eye out for tent caterpillars or black knot fungus, which can occasionally affect the branches. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but well drained to keep the root system happy.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to help the tree establish a strong root system.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead wood and maintain a healthy shape.
Repotting: This tree is best suited for the landscape, but if kept in a container, repot every few years to refresh the soil.
Soil: Well drained, loamy soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Fragrance: Light

Safety

People: All parts of the plant except the ripe fruit flesh are toxic if ingested due to the presence of cyanide precursors.
Pets: The leaves, twigs, and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the seeds and wilted leaves as they pose a significant poisoning risk if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The bark and foliage are generally non-irritating, but sensitive individuals may experience mild contact dermatitis.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can cause mild seasonal allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can release cyanide when ingested and are dangerous to humans and livestock.

How to identify it

Dark, scaly, burnt potato chip bark
Long, drooping clusters of white flowers
Shiny, dark green lance shaped leaves
Small, dark purple to black fruit

Height: 15 to 30m
Spread: 6 to 15m
Leaves: dark green, yellow, red, deciduous
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: dark purple, black, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your black cherry from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn

Plant in areas with enough space to accommodate its large mature size and potential for self seeding.

Grows well with

White Oak · They share similar soil requirements and thrive in the same woodland environments.
Sugar Maple · These species often grow together in natural forest successions.

Similar species

Chokecherry · It is a smaller relative with similar fruit and flowering habits.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: This species is common and widespread across its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It serves as a vital food source for many bird species that disperse its seeds throughout forest clearings.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nectar source, bird food source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: timber production, wildlife habitat, ornamental shade tree, culinary flavoring

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is the fruit safe to eat?: Yes, the flesh of the ripe fruit is safe and tasty, but you must avoid the pits.
Does it grow fast?: It is a relatively fast growing tree when provided with adequate sunlight and moisture.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet serotina means late, referring to the tree's late flowering period compared to other cherries.

Good to know

Black cherry is the largest of the native cherries in North America.
The fruit is edible and often used in jams, jellies, and brandies.
It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes abandoned fields.
The bark of mature trees has a distinct, flaky appearance often described as burnt corn flakes.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your black cherry growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.