This entry is for the wild species Prunus avium. There is a separate entry for Prunus avium 'Cultivated Forms'[].
There has been a good deal of confusion in botanical works between this species and Prunus cerasus. But Prunus avium differs from Prunus cerasus in the following respects: it is a tree sometimes of full middle size (the other is more or less dwarf or shrubby); the leaves are more coarsely toothed and hairy beneath; the fruit is not acid[].
The taxonomic history of Prunus is long and complicated, in part due to the economic value of its fruit crops and also the ease with which some species hybridize. Here, Prunus is circumscribed in its broad sense based on the argument that when viewed on a worldwide scale, the morphologic discontinuities among the segregate genera diminish and they overlap with one another. Included here are species that have at times been placed in the genera Amygdalus, Armeniaca, Cerasus, Laurocerasus, Padus, and Persica.
At the species level, Prunus has been the object of the usual combining and splitting common among taxonomists with different philosophies and opinions. In particular, over-reliance on the indument of various vegetative and floral parts has led to the naming of numerous species and infraspecific taxa. Similarly, too much has been made of fruit colour and palatability in naming taxa of Prunus. It is very likely that, as molecular and genetic data are analyzed and, more importantly, correlated with morphological data, circumscriptions will be redrawn and the number of Prunus species will be reduced[].

Common Name: Wild Cherry

General Information

Prunus avium is an unarmed, deciduous tree with a broadly conical crown; it usually grows 6 - 20 metres tall, occasionally reaching 35 metres. The straight bole can usually reach 50 - 70cm in diameter, exceptionally to 120cm[, , ]. Trees cast a light shade[]. Trees produce quite a lot of suckers and can form thickets, especially if the main trunk is felled[].
The wild cherry is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials - it produces an attractive, sought-after timber. It is the main parent of the cultivated sweet cherries (see the entry Prunus avium 'Cultivated Forms') that are widely grown in gardens and commercially, and has also been used to develop ornamental cultivars.

Known Hazards

The plant (especially the seed and young shoots) contains cyanogenic glycosides, especially amygdalin and prunasin. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being[]. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted.
In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death[].
The fruits and flowers of most members of this genus generally have low or very low concentrations of this toxin, though the seeds and young shoots can contain much higher levels.
The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- for example sweet tasting almond seeds are a major food crop and are often eaten in quantity, whilst bitter tasting almond seeds are used as a flavouring (in marzipan for example) but are not usually eaten on their own.
In general, it can be considered safe to eat any fruit or seed from species in this genus that either have a sweet flavour or are slightly bitter. Great caution should be taken, however, if the flavour is moderately to very bitter[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east to Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan; N. Africa - Morocco to Algeria

Habitat

Better soils in hedgerows and woods, especially in beech woods[, ]. Broad-leaved forests and forest edges

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in light shade but grows and fruits better when in a sunny position[, ]. Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[, ]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[]. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[]. Tolerant of a wide range of soil pH from 5.5 - 8.5, but prefers slightly acidic conditions[].
A fast growing tree on deep moist soils[] but it is shallow rooting and can suffer in dry periods[].
Trees respond well to coppicing, resprouting from the base and also producing suckers[].
A very ornamental plant[],especially the double-flowered form 'Plena' though this rarely produces fruit[].
Prunus avium is the main parent of the many cultivated forms of sweet cherries[, ], especially the black fruited forms[], and these cultivated forms are usually included under this species. There is a separate entry to cover these forms - see Prunus avium 'Cultivated Forms'.
Cultivars of Prunus avium are grown in North America both for their attractive flowers, especially where the Japanese ornamental cherries are not hardy, and for their sweet fruits[].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[].
An excellent tree for insects[] and the fruit is a good food source for birds.
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. It can be sweet or bitter but it is not acid[]. The fruit can be cooked in pies etc or used to make preserves. The fruit contains about 78% water, 8.5 - 14% sugars[]. The blackish red, globose fruit is up to 20mm in diameter and contains one large seed[, ].

Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

An edible gum is obtained by wounding the bark[, ]. The gum (cherry-tree gum) is marked by a high content of araban (to 52%); upon hydrolysis it yields up to 59% arabinose[].

Medicinal

The fruit stalks are astringent, diuretic and tonic[, , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of cystitis, oedema, bronchial complaints, looseness of the bowels and anaemia[, ].

An aromatic resin can be obtained by making small incisions in the trunk[]. This has been used as an inhalant in the treatment of persistent coughs[].

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Wild cherry is essentially a pioneer species, and quickly colonises clearings by seeds and suckering, forming secondary woodland, but is often out-competed later by other hardwood species. It is used extensively in Europe for the afforestation of agricultural land and it is also valued for wildlife and amenity plantings[].
The flowers are a good source of pollen and nectar for bees[, ].
This species is a bad companion for potatoes, making them more susceptible to potato blight[], it also suppresses the growth of wheat[]. It also grows badly with plum trees, its roots giving out an antagonistic secretion[].

Other Uses

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[].
The bark, especially of the root, contains the dye phlorizin[].
The wood contains the dye xylan[].

The seed contains around 30% oil[].

The bark usually only contains small amounts of tannin, but this sometimes rises to 16%[].

This species has been utilized to breed cherry cultivars with resistance to frost and a number of diseases. Among cultivated forms there are very ornamental ones with double and pink flowers, motley or dissected leaves as well as with a drooping crown[]

The heartwood is pinkish-brown; the sapwood red. The grain is fine and straight, with a satiny texture. The wood is firm, compact, and generally free from defects. A valuable, attractive timber that is easy to work, it is used for turnery, furniture, cabinet making, panelling, musical instruments etc[, , , , ]. The red sapwood is valued in turnery and woodwork[].

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering in spring.