Prunus padus - Bird Cherry

The Bird Cherry is native to Britain, and looks stunning in late spring when it is covered with masses of white fragrant blossom. An important tree for wildlife as well as for its ornamental value, it is sometimes seen in parks and as roadside planting, and is a great addition to woodlands. With fruits which ripen in late summer and good autumn colour, this tree has a long season of interest.

Site and soil

Although it prefers damp soil over limestone, the Bird Cherry is very adaptable and will grow well even in poor soils. Does well at altitudes up to 600m and is very hardy.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 5m x 3m
After 20 years: 7.6m x 4.6m

Leaf and bark

Lanceolate, toothed leaves, sharply pointed at the tip, turn yellow and orange in autumn. Nectar glands on the leaf stem attract insects to the plant. The bark is dark and shiny.

Flower, seed and fruit

The small, five-petalled white flowers with their yellow stamens are arranged in large racemes on the branches in great profusion. Upright at first, they quickly droop downwards; they are strongly almond-scented. The flowers are followed by small spherical red fruits, which ripen to black in August.

Uses

Woodland, specimen tree, roadside planting.

Wildlife

The Bird Cherry is an important tree for wildlife, with over 30 species of insect feeding on its leaves and flowers. Bees, butterflies, beetles, and in Scotland the endangered Aspen hoverfly, feed on the pollen, and a number of moth larvae feed on the leaves. Birds, including Redwing, Fieldfares, Blackbirds and Robins feast on the fruits in late summer, and small mammals eat the fruits which have fallen to the ground.