Prairie Sky Poplar vs Black Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Prairie Sky Poplar vs Black Cherry

Populus x canadensis Prairie Sky

Prunus serotina

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Prairie Sky Poplar
Black Cherry

Prairie Sky Poplar is a fast-growing columnar hybrid poplar developed at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's Morden Research Station. It is adaptable to many soil conditions and seems to do best in the southern-most parts of the prairies.

Good as a shade or shelterbelt tree, it is often used in buffer zones as a visual screen or hedge. Ideal for lining properties, roads, etc.

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.

Prairie Sky Poplar Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 2a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: low


Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Foliage: large, heart-shaped
Foliage: long, glossy leaves
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: dark red
Hybrid: yes
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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