Black Cherry vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Cherry vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Prunus serotina

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Northern Gooseberry
Black Cherry

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

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.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Berries: purple or purplish black
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low




Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry