# Black Cherry

## Prunus serotina E.

NATURE | deciduous tree
LEAF | singular leaf
| Leaf edge: saw-toothed
Leaf shape: oblong
Nervation: feather-veined
FRUIT | berry
INFLORESCENCE | in spikes

Medical value: none.
Use: the fruit are used to flavour brandy and rum in America. The wood is used for carpentry. In Europe the black cherry 1i often implanted as ornamental tree.

Attention: the black cherry is imported from America and implanted in the Kempen region because of its ability to fertilize poor sandy soil. A second reason to import this tree is because of its quick growth and straight trunks that were used to support coalmine roofs. However, the tree grows as a shrub here, so it hasn’t had the use that was indented. Black cherry spreads very fast to the detriment of indigenous flora. The nickname ‘forest pest’ is thus very accurate. Current forest management is set to extinguish the tree.

Legend:

Bloom. All months in which we can find blooming specimens. Regional differences may occur.
Harvest Time. All months in which we can find ripe fruits on trees. Unripe fruit can be found earlier on trees and shrubs. Sometimes even throughout the year, as happens with trees such as pines, this fruit ripens over several years.
Both flowers and ripe fruit may occur at the same time in some months.