Black Cherry

Black cherry has special strength in parts of Northern Appalachia, especially the Allegheny hardwood forests. It is a tree of flowers, fruit, dark bark, and valuable wood.

Quick Facts

Where it Grows

In Northern Appalachia, black cherry grows in mixed hardwood forests, old fields, openings, and roadsides. In northwestern Pennsylvania and nearby regions, it can be a major timber tree.

How to Identify It

Look for white flower racemes, dark cherries, alternate toothed leaves, and mature bark that breaks into dark scaly plates. Twigs may smell like bitter almond when scratched.

Importance to the Appalchia Ecosystem

The fruit feeds birds and mammals, which spread the seeds. The tree also responds to openings and helps shape young forest after disturbance.

Human Uses

Black cherry wood is valued for furniture, cabinets, veneer, paneling, and fine interior work. The fruit has limited culinary use, but the plant requires caution.

Interesting Facts

It is one of the valuable hardwoods of the Allegheny Plateau.
Birds are major seed dispersers.
Mature bark is a strong winter identification feature.

Look-Alikes

Black cherry can be confused with chokecherry and pin cherry. Mature bark, hanging clusters, and tree size help separate it.

Cautions and Common Problems

Wilted leaves can poison livestock. Black knot, tent caterpillars, borers, and leaf diseases can occur.

Seasonal Interest

Spring brings flower clusters. Summer and fall bring fruit. Fall color is yellow to orange. Winter bark is dark and scaly.

In the Appalachian Landscape

Black cherry adds fruit, timber history, and edge life to the northern mountains. It is both a forest tree and a tree of openings.

Sources and Further Reading

Last reviewed: 2026-10-07

Northern Appalachian Trees

Southern Appalachian Trees

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