Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds, Bees, Spring Flowers and Fall Color

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a common deciduous tree in Midwestern and Eastern forests, but it’s unusual, says Heather Holm, a Houzz Contributor.
Holm’s continued, most of the deciduous trees in these North American woodlands are wind-pollinated, producing separate male and female flowers before the leaves emerge in early spring. Black cherry trees, however, flower in late spring after the leaves have emerged, producing showy white flower racemes that attract a number of native bees. The resulting fruit, maturing from red to dark blue, is sought after by berry-eating birds, including waxwings and American robins.  Black cherry can be used as a stand-alone shade tree in medium, well-drained soil, or incorporated into a naturalized planting along the edge of a woodland. The interesting scaly bark, showy white flowers and vibrant fall foliage color make this an attractive tree to use in both traditional and naturalized landscapes.  Read and see more: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67621489/list/plant-black-cherry-trees-for-the-birds-and-bees

Courtesy of houzz.com and Heather Holm