908-1 Cherry-Black (Packed In Units of 25 Seedlings)

Black Cherry: (Prunus serotina) is a large, deciduous tree native to North America, recognized for its valuable wood, high wildlife value, and toxic foliage and bark. This prominent species in eastern and central U.S. forests generally reaches a height of 50 to 80 feet, though it can grow over 100 feet in ideal conditions. Young trees exhibit smooth, shiny, reddish-brown bark with horizontal lines, while mature trees have bark that turns dark gray to black and develops a scaly texture. The tree features simple, alternate, oblong-ovate leaves that are dark green and glossy on top, turning yellow to orange in the fall. Fragrant, small white flowers bloom in long clusters in late April to May, followed by small berry-like fruits that ripen from red to dark purple-black in late summer, providing essential food for various birds and mammals. Black cherry trees thrive in moist, fertile, well-drained soils, preferring full sun to partial shade. However, transplanting can be challenging due to their deep taproot. The hard reddish-brown wood is prized for furniture and musical instruments, while the tree supports over 450 species of butterflies and moths as a larval host plant. However, all parts of the tree, except for the ripe fruit flesh, contain cyanogenic glycosides and can be toxic if ingested by humans.