Black Cherry vs Mustang Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Black Cherry vs Mustang Cherry Plum

Prunus x Jefchum

Prunus serotina

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mustang Cherry Plum
Black Cherry

Mustang Cherry Plum is a cherry-plum hybrid. They are known for their fragrant white flowers in spring and sweet fruit in late August. Mustang Cherry Plums are about one inch in diameter and they have a strong cherry taste. This plant is small enough to fit in moderately sized yards.

Because of Mustang Cherry Plum's genetics and cold hardiness, it is popular for grafting and as a rootstock.

For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

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.

Mustang Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low


Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Foliage: long, glossy leaves
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: dark red
Fruit size: 1 inch in diameter
Flavor: sweet with red strong cherry taste
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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