Bird cherry

Appearance: a small ornamental tree, 3–10 m tall and 4–8 m wide, crown ovoid or rounded, broad, fast-growing when young, 60–80 cm per year, then 10–20 cm per year.

Flowers: in drooping racemose inflorescences, flowers small, white, appearing at or after leaf emergence, very fragrant.

Fruits: small, round, black.

Leaves: early to unfold, elliptic, fresh green, aromatic, in summer – matte green, bluish beneath, in autumn – reddish-yellow.

Root system: shallow, dense, forms suckers within a radius of 10 m, tolerates temporary flooding, sensitive to soil compaction.

Requirements: sun/partial shade, prefers cool sites, hardy.

Soils: fresh or moist, any fertile substrates.

Zone: 3