Bird Cherry (Prunus padus)
Large shrub or small tree growing to 10m with pretty white flowers that smell of almonds. The pea-sized cherries are bitter and impalatable. The elliptical leaves are bluish underneath.
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Appearance
Large shrub or small tree growing to 10m with pretty white flowers that smell of almonds. The pea-sized cherries are bitter and impalatable. The elliptical leaves are bluish underneath.
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Leaf upperside
Elliptical, stalked leaves, 6-12cm long, 3-5cm wide, leaf stem 1-2cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dull green above, pale blue-green below, turn yellow-orange in autumn.
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Leaf underside
Elliptical, stalked leaves, 6-12cm long, 3-5cm wide, leaf stem 1-2cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dull green above, pale blue-green below, turn yellow-orange in autumn.
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Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, pretty white racemes while the leaves sprout. Racemes up to 20cm long, strongly scented.
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Fruits
Edible but bitter, pea-sized black cherries. Up to 1cm in diameter.
Application
Afforestation, open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, stabilization of shores and hillsides, wind-break, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, gardens
Native regions
Europe, Central and northern Europe, Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Middle East, Asia Minor, Balkans, Caucasus, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Sakhalin, Taiwan
Location parameters
Light: sunny to semi-shady, temperature: normal to cool, soil: fresh to moist, stagnant moisture: resistant, soil structure: firm to loose, soil depth: medium, compaction: to be avoided, soil quality: medium, pH value: 6.0 to 8.0
Demands
Sun to half-shade; tolerates warmth, but prefers cool locations, frost-hardy; fresh-wet, all nutrient-rich substrates, slightly acid to alkaline
Growth
Height of growth: 15m to 18m, spread: 4m to 8m, growth habits: dense, upright, erect, overhanging
Leaves
Elliptical, stalked leaves, 6-12cm long, 3-5cm wide, leaf stem 1-2cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dull green above, pale blue-green below, turn yellow-orange in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, pretty white racemes while the leaves sprout. Racemes up to 20cm long, strongly scented.
Fruits
Edible but bitter, pea-sized black cherries. Up to 1cm in diameter.
Bark
Grey-green bark with shallow, pale coloured furrows, flat or with lenticels. Branches are grey-brown or dark brown.
Roots
Surface-rooting, expansive root system