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Encyclopaedia of trees- Choosing shrubs and trees
- Gean, Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Gean, Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
The Gean or Wild Cherry is a medium-sized tree with a wide ovate crown. The white flowers are delicately scented. The small dark red cherries are edible. The Wild Cherry is an important forrage tree for butterflies.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, beautiful flowers, mildly scented, in white clusters.
Bark
Grey or grey-green bark with horizontal lenticular banding or flat shallow furrows. Only peels off on one side. Branches are brown, chestnut coloured or silvery.
Photos
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Types of damage
Application
Open country, afforestation, open fields, soil improvement, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, roadside verges, private parks
Native regions
Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, Balkans, Mediterranean countries, Caucasus, Turkey
Location parameters
Light: sunny to semi-shady, temperature: warm to cool, soil: fresh to moist, stagnant moisture: to be avoided, soil structure: firm to normal, soil depth: medium to deep, soil quality: medium to high, pH value: 7.0 to 8.5
Demands
Sun to slight shade; likes warmth, frost-hardy; demanding tree; likes nutrient-rich, fresh to moist, alkaline and loamy soils; does not grow well in acid sand and clay; limited resistance to urban climates; intolerant of salt
Growth
Height of growth: 15m to 30m, spread: 8m to 12m, growth habits: wide, inclined, upright, central leader
Leaves
Oblong, stalked leaves, pointed, 6-12cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 2-5cm long. Leaves are dark green above and pale green below, turn a decorative orange or scarlet-red colour in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, beautiful flowers, mildly scented, in white clusters.
Fruits
Edible, small dark-red cherries. Sweetly aromatic. Up to 2.5cm in diameter.
Bark
Grey or grey-green bark with horizontal lenticular banding or flat shallow furrows. Only peels off on one side. Branches are brown, chestnut coloured or silvery.
Roots
Surface-rooting, heart-rooter, fleshy roots, expansive root system