The choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) is a small tree with frequently crooked or inclined trunk and a narrow, open, slender-branched head. It is found over most of the state at the edge of woods, in fence rows and waste places. It is a beautiful tree when in flower in the spring, and is a valuable wildlife tree.
Habitat: Grows in woodland edges, fence rows, rocky bluffs, also in the open woods. Found throughout the state.
Hardiness: Zones 3 through 10
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Mature Shape: Varies by species
Height: 20-30 feet
Width: 15-25 feet
Site Requirements: Adaptable but prefers moist, well-drained soils. In the right conditions, it will grow like a weed. Withstands heavy pruning and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, lobed; lobes with rounded tips
Flowering Dates: May
Seed Dispersal Dates: July - September
Seed Bearing Age: 15-20 years
Seed Bearing Frequency: Yearly
Seed Stratification: Prechill for 4-5 months at 34°F to 40°F
The thin leaves are dark green and shiny above, pale and dull beneath. The leaf is finely toothed with outward curved teeth. It is oval and quite broad, and narrow toward the base.
The stout twigs are aromatic and bitter, light brown to dark red-brown and marked with large, oblong white spots. On older stems it becomes dark gray, slightly roughened or scaly and matted.
The small, fleshy and cherry like fruit is found on short stems in clusters similar to grapes. It is nearly black and is edible when ripe. On young stems, the bark is smooth and gray.
Diseases that Can Affect Common Choke Cherry
Insects that Can Affect Common Choke Cherry
