Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Black Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Prunus x cistena

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Black Cherry
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: white
Flowers: pinkish
Bark: dark red to purple
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: low



Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic
Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry
Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry