Black Cherry vs Manor Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Black Cherry vs Manor Cherry Plum

Prunus besseyi x salicina Manor

Prunus serotina

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Manor Cherry Plum
Black Cherry

Manor Cherry Plum has a nice sweet flavour and a hint of astringency, making it a top Cherry Plum variety. They ripen in mid to late August and are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

The fruit is closer to a plum than a cherry but is smaller than most plums.The Manor Cherry Plum has thin dark purple skin, nearly black when ripe and the flesh is purplish-red. The flesh is almost freestone and is tender and juicy. Similar to other stone fruits, it does not store for very long but can keep for up to a week in the fridge.

The Manor Cherry Plum is a hybrid between a Western Sand Cherry and a Japanese (Chinese) Plum. 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.

Manor Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $4.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fruit size: 2.5-3 cm in diameter
Flavor: sweet flavour, slightly astringent
Harvest: mid to late August
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Other Names: manor chum, manor plum cherry
Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry