Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Black Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Black Cherry

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Prunus serotina

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Black Cherry

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

Black Cherry is common in eastern North America but a rare find elsewhere. This tree is shade tolerant and is often found in old fields, forest openings, and along fencerows.

The fruit is edible and is commonly used to flavor rum and brandy. It is also edible and often eaten fresh or used in wine or jelly. Black Cherry trees typically begin producing fruit when they are 10 years of age.

Black Cherry wood is a rich reddish-brown color and is strong, making it valued in cabinetry and woodworking. It is often used in reclamation as well.

The leaves can poison livestock as they contain cyanide derivatives and precursors. However, many have noted that deer still seem to browse their trees with impunity and birds and other animals eat the fruit when available.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Foliage: dark purple leaves
Foliage: long, glossy leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Flowers: white
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Fruit: dark red
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry