Our Garden Elders

BLACK CHERRY

We have a few old trees on our property that have been here for decades, if not centuries. They have seen the land go through logging then private ownership. They are a visual history of what was here and what can thrive. One garden elder is the black cherry, Prunus serotina.

A black cherry stands outside the back door and is the anchor for the back garden. It reminds of the forest surrounding the property as it stands tall over designed garden beds. A little wildness to go with intentional plantings. The tree has a large wound inflicted sometime in its past. We all have wounds of one kind or another as we live, and age.

The tree stands three to four stories tall. It has scaly bark that adds interest all season. A juxtaposition to the greens, whites, and yellows of the plants below. It provides filtered light, not heavy shade, in the summer.

Prunus trees, which are wild cherry and plum trees, rank third in supporting insect herbivores. Think butterflies and moths throughout their lifecycle. More insects mean more birds and other wildlife.

Black cherry trees are pretty messy, dropping detritus through spring and summer. But we chose to live in a forest and forests are not neat and tidy. I like that combination of the wild of the forest and the more designed garden beds. Prunus serotina is also a favorite of tent caterpillars. We have only lived here a year and a half and I have not had tent caterpillars on the property.

I have not noticed any bird nests in the tree. Birds flit around the branches and sometimes take a rest. We have a hummingbird feeder under the tree. The hummingbirds, as they take a rest in the branches, look like leaves.

I would not recommend a Prunus serotina for a small space or for those looking for manicured landscapes. This tree really belongs in a wilder landscape where nature has a leading role in the garden and landscape design.