Pennsylvania bird cherry

Family Rosaceae (Rosaceae). Native to North America, where it is widely distributed.

Grows as a large shrub or small tree up to 12 m tall, with a slender trunk covered with cherry-red bark; an oval, open crown with thin, glossy, reddish branches. Leaves ovate to oblong-lanceolate, tapering to a pointed apex and with a sharply serrated margin, glossy green, up to 10 cm long, turning red tones in autumn. Flowers white, 3-8 in short racemes. Blooms and bears fruit abundantly from 3-8 years of age. Fruits small, red, edible drupes up to 0.6 cm in diameter.

Pennsylvania bird cherry grows quickly. Frost-hardy, drought-resistant. Tolerates urban conditions satisfactorily. Undemanding as to soil. Responds poorly to pruning. Produces abundant root suckers. The tree is very winter-hardy, therefore it grows up to the Arctic Circle in the European part, as well as in the Urals and Siberia.

Impressive in spring when in flower and in autumn — with numerous red fruits and colorful foliage. Recommended for single and group plantings in parks. In cultivation since 1773.