Sour Cherry
Prunus cerasus
non-native
Other Names:
Pie Cherry, Tart Cherry, Dwarf Cherry
Notes
The Sour Cherry is a non-native tree that grows in much of Europe and Southwest Asia. It came to North America in the 1600s when the Dutch settled in what is now Brooklyn, New York. The trees attract a lot of insects, including aphids, Japanese Beetles, scale, and various caterpillars; some of the insects carry diseases. Waxwings, sparrows, robins, and grackles eat the berries. Sour Cherries were known to the ancient Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. They are a popular food, especially in pies, cakes, and various drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The fruit is more acidic than the Sweet Cherry, and medical researchers are exploring possible medical applications for it.
Identification Tools
Woodland Trust
Go Botany
Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Virginia Tech Dendrology
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