Black Cherry vs Yellow Birch - TreeTime.ca

Black Cherry vs Yellow Birch

Prunus serotina

Betula alleghaniensis

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Black Cherry
Yellow Birch

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.

Yellow Birch is a large and valuable hardwood species in northeastern North America. The bark on its limbs and young trunks is silvery-yellowish in colour, hence the name. This tree prefers to grow in cool regions with damp or saturated soil.

Yellow Birch can be tapped for syrup, like Sugar Maple. Although the sap has less sugar content, it flows in greater quantity than maple trees.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Yellow Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: bright yellow
Flowers: white
Bark: shiny yellow to grey silver peels in curly strips, becomes reddish brown when older
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: low



Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock

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