Mayday Cherry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Mayday Cherry vs Western Chokecherry

Prunus padus

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

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Mayday Cherry
Western Chokecherry

Mayday Cherry is a small deciduous tree known for its early blooming and fragrant white flowers.

A favourite specimen tree on prairie homesteads, Mayday Cherry produces small black berries that are inedible to people but highly desirable to birds.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Mayday Cherry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Mayday Cherry Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: small black berries
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flowers: early blooming, white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: low



Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Other Names: common bird cherry, european bird cherry
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry