Western Chokecherry vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

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Northern Bayberry
Western Chokecherry

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low



Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry