How to identify cherry trees (wild and ornamental)

The genus *Prunus* includes cherries, plums, peaches, and almonds -- all stone-fruit trees with broadly similar features. Within the cherry group, the common North American species range from large forest trees (black cherry) to shrubby thickets (chokecherry) to small spring-blooming ornamentals..

—- title: "How to identify cherry trees (wild and ornamental)" slug: how-to-identify-cherry-trees hub: plants category: "Identification guide" description: "Identify wild and ornamental cherry trees by their distinctive bark lenticels, simple serrated leaves, and stone fruit. Covers black cherry, chokecherry, pin cherry, and ornamental species." date: 2026-06-10 updated: 2026-06-10 author: "Thomas A." reading_time: 8 —-

The genus Prunus includes cherries, plums, peaches, and almonds — all stone-fruit trees with broadly similar features. Within the cherry group, the common North American species range from large forest trees (black cherry) to shrubby thickets (chokecherry) to small spring-blooming ornamentals. Three features work together to ID any cherry tree: the distinctive horizontal lenticels on young bark, the simple leaves with finely serrated margins and small glands at the base, and the round stone fruits (drupes).

Genus-level identification

Lenticels: Per Penn State Extension, horizontal lenticels — elongated, often pale, dash-like markings — on young, smooth bark are characteristic of all Prunus species. On black cherry, they appear as narrow, horizontal lines. On ornamental Japanese cherries, they are broader and more prominent. On older bark, the smooth zone disappears as bark fissures, but young branches and the upper trunk still show lenticels.

Bitter almond smell: Scratch a young twig or the inner bark. Prunus species contain compounds that break down to release a characteristic bitter almond or maraschino cherry scent. Per NC State Extension, this smell is produced by hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid) in the foliage and bark — present in sufficient concentration to be toxic to livestock that consume wilted leaves.

Simple, alternate leaves: All cherry leaves are simple (not compound), alternate, and have finely serrated margins. Most species have one or two small glands (nectaries) at the top of the petiole or at the base of the leaf blade — visible as tiny bumps or dots. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, these petiolar glands are useful in species separation.

Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

The largest North American cherry — a forest tree reaching 60–80 feet. Per Penn State Extension, black cherry is native across the eastern United States in zones 3–9 and is one of the most valuable timber species in the Appalachians.

Bark: Young black cherry bark is smooth, reddish-brown to gray-brown, with prominent horizontal lenticels. Mature bark breaks into irregular, dark gray to black, scaly plates that curl outward at the edges — sometimes described as looking like burnt potato chips. Per NC State Extension, the combination of the distinctive young bark (smooth with prominent lenticels) and old bark (black, scaly, curling plates) makes black cherry identifiable at nearly any age.

Leaves: 2–5 inches, elongated oval with a fine, incurved serration. The teeth curve slightly inward rather than pointing straight outward — a useful detail. Upper surface is dark, glossy green; underside is paler with a tuft of rusty-orange hair along the midrib. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, the rusty hair tuft is diagnostic for black cherry and separates it from other eastern cherries.

Fruit: Small (0.3–0.5 inch), round, dark purple-black drupes. Edible but astringent. Ripe in late summer.

Toxicity: Wilted black cherry leaves contain the highest concentrations of prussic acid among common native trees. Per NC State Extension, livestock deaths from black cherry are documented and usually involve consumption of wilted leaves after storm damage or pruning. Fresh green leaves have lower toxicity. Do not leave cut branches accessible to horses or cattle.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

A large shrub or small tree to 25 feet. Per USDA NRCS, chokecherry is native across almost all of North America, zones 2–7, and is one of the most widely distributed native woody plants on the continent.

Leaves: Broadly oval to slightly elliptical, abruptly pointed, 1.5–4 inches. The fine serration ends in sharp, gland-tipped teeth — per UMN Extension, the sharp-pointed, gland-tipped teeth distinguish chokecherry from black cherry's incurved, non-gland-tipped teeth.

Bark: Smooth, gray-brown with prominent lenticels; does not develop the distinctive scaly black bark of mature black cherry.

Fruit: Round, 0.3–0.5 inch, in elongated drooping clusters (racemes). Red when unripe, dark purple-black at maturity. Very astringent when raw; used for jelly and wine. Per USDA NRCS, chokecherry fruit is a critical wildlife food, consumed by over 70 bird and mammal species.

Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

A small, short-lived tree of disturbed sites and burned areas. Per UMass Amherst Extension, pin cherry is a pioneer species that colonizes clearcuts and forest openings in zones 2–5.

Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, 2.5–4 inches, with fine, sharp, gland-tipped teeth. Much narrower than black cherry or chokecherry leaves.

Bark: Smooth, bright reddish-brown to cherry-red, with very prominent horizontal lenticels. On young trees, the bark is almost glossy. This is among the most distinctive bark of any native tree.

Fruit: Bright red, small (0.25–0.35 inch), in clusters of 2–5, maturing in midsummer. Very sour but edible. A major wildlife food source.

Ornamental cherries

**Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis):** The famous flowering cherry of Washington, D.C. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, Yoshino cherry is a hybrid producing pale pink to white flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Bark is smooth, gray-brown with prominent lenticels. Zones 5–8. Relatively short-lived at 15–25 years.

**Kwanzan cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'):** Deep pink, double-petaled flowers. Per NC State Extension, Kwanzan is the most widely planted double-flowered ornamental cherry in North America. Zones 5–8.

Species comparison table

Frequently asked questions

Is wild black cherry fruit safe to eat? Ripe black cherry fruit is edible, though astringent. The flesh is safe. The pit, leaves, and bark contain prussic acid compounds — do not eat pits or make tea from bark or leaves. Per NC State Extension, the fruit is widely used for jelly, wine, and syrup.

How do I tell a young cherry from a young plum? Both are Prunus. Cherries generally have tighter, smoother young bark with more prominent horizontal lenticels; plums often have rougher, more irregular bark even when young. Cherry leaves tend to be longer and narrower; plum leaves shorter and broader. Per Penn State Extension, the fruit at maturity is the most reliable separator: cherries have thin-fleshed fruits with a nearly round pit; plums have fleshier fruit with a flattened pit.

What is eastern tent caterpillar and how does it relate to cherry? Eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) preferentially attacks cherries and apples. Per Penn State Extension, silken tent masses in branch forks in early spring are the most visible sign. Defoliation on wild black cherry is common but rarely fatal. See the guide on tent caterpillars for management.

Why do ornamental cherries have a short lifespan? Ornamental flowering cherries are susceptible to multiple fungal diseases (leaf spot, cytospora canker), borers, and viral disease. Per Penn State Extension, most ornamental cherries have a realistic lifespan of 15–25 years in the landscape — considerably shorter than oaks or maples. This is a known limitation, not a cultural failure.

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Sources:

1. Penn State Extension — Black cherry
2. NC State Extension — Prunus serotina
3. Missouri Botanical Garden — Prunus × yedoensis
4. UMN Extension — Chokecherry
5. USDA NRCS — Prunus virginiana
6. UMass Amherst Extension — Pin cherry