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Features

Tree

Leaf

Blossom

Fruit

  Latin name Prunus padus
  Family Rosaceae (rose family)
  Distribution Europe, Northern Asia to Korea and Japan
  Height 6 to 15 m
  Age Up to 80 years
  Roots Strong, densely branched roots spreading near the surface rather than going deep
  Bark Black-gray, usually remains smooth even in old age.
  Leaves 6 to 14 cm long, oval, serrated margin; curved, interconnected side veins; two nectar glands at the upper end of the stalk. Pale yellow to orange-red autumnal colouring.
  Flowers 10 to 20 cm long, initially arcuate upright, later hanging 12- to 30-flowered clusters of 1 cm small, strongly scented, white individual flowers.
  Flowering period April to May
  Fruits Pea-sized, spherical, later wrinkled stone fruits, initially green, then red, and finally deep black in colour.
  Fruiting period July to August
  Alternative names Hackberry, hagberry, Mayday tree

 

Prunus padus

The bird cherry is a spreading native tree or shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. Bird cherries are fast-growing and relatively short-lived, reaching maximum lifespans of about 80 years. They are commonly found in Europe and Asia in the understory of forest edges and floodplain forests, where they preferably grow on intermittently wet, periodically flooded soils together with ash and alder. There, the bird cherry thrives with the help of an exceptionally well-developed root system.

With its preference for moist soils, the bird cherry is considered an indicator of groundwater. Thanks to its effective root performance and high transpiration rate through the leaves, the bird cherry can be effectively used as a “pumping plant” for draining wet areas. Its extensive root system also makes it an excellent soil stabiliser for slopes and embankments.

Caterpillars of ermine moths often use bird cherries for their white, thread-like communal nests.

The common name Mayday tree refers to the May Day festival, being unrelated to the distress signal mayday.

Ecology

The bird cherry is mainly pollinated by hoverflies and honeybees, as well as the wild spring mining bee. The nectar source is located in the centre of the flower. Besides cross-pollination, self-pollination is also possible.
The leaves serve as larval food for many different butterfly species, including owlet moths, geometer moths, and brimstone butterflies. In autumn and winter, the ripe bird cherry fruits are an important food source for at least 24 bird species, which thereby disperse the plant's seeds.

Wood

The wood of the bird cherry is soft, light, elastic, easy to split and bend, and has little shrinkage. When fresh, it has an unpleasant, bitter almond-like smell, which can limit its utility.
The sapwood is light, the heartwood brownish-yellow to reddish with a green pattern. It is less hard than cherry wood, easy to work with, and can be used for wood turning, inlays, and for making walking sticks or tool handles.