3 Common Cherry Trees In Maine (Photos & Identification)
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of cherry trees in Maine. These magnificent trees not only add to the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings, but they also serve a wide range of useful purposes.
Come along as we set out on a quest to learn about the three most common varieties of cherry trees found in Maine. We will examine their distinctive qualities and help you identify these remarkable trees with the aid of beautiful photos.
Let’s get started with the black cherry, the most common of all the cherry trees in Maine.
1. Black Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus serotina Ehrh.
- Common Name(s): Black cherry
- Mature Height: 40-50 feet (12-15 meters)
- Native Region: Widely distributed throughout Maine
- Flowers: Produced in many-flowered racemes, appearing in late May or early June. The flowers are small and white.
- Fruit: Dark purple or almost black when ripe, pea-sized, and globular in shape. They ripen from June to October.
- Uses: The wood of the black cherry tree is highly valued for its hardness, close-grained texture, and strength. It is commonly used in furniture and cabinet making, interior finishing, woodenware, veneer, and plywood.
The black cherry, scientifically known as Prunus serotina Ehrh, is a tree found across Maine. Even though it is not plentiful in sufficient size, it is one of the most valuable timber trees in the region. Black cherry thrives in rich, moist soil but grows well in a variety of soils. It grows to a height of 40-50 feet and a diameter of 10-20 inches.
The tree has a thin crown and short horizontal branches. On young trees, the trunk bark is red-brown to black and lustrous, with noticeable white lenticels. The bark of elderly trees splits into little uneven plates. The leaves are alternating, elliptic, and oblong in shape, and are dark green and glossy. They are sharply toothed, thick, and somewhat leathery, and range in length from 2 to 5 inches. Rusty brown hairs cover the underside of the mid-rib at the stalk end.
Black cherry trees produce several flowered racemes that are 4-5 inches long in late May or early June. The flowers are tiny and white. The fruit of the tree comes in drooping racemes from June to October. When ripe, the cherries are dark purple or virtually black, pea-sized, and globular in shape.
Broken twigs and the bitter-tasting bark of black cherry trees are well-known for their strong aroma. They are, however, frequently damaged by a black, warty fungus growth known as “black knot,” which bends the twigs.
Black cherry trees are widely valued in Maine settings for their hardwood. The wood is tough, close-grained, light, and durable. It polishes easily and is used in a variety of applications including furniture and cabinet manufacturing, interior finishing, woodenware, veneer, and plywood.
2. Pin Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus pensylvanica L. f.
- Common Name(s): Pin Cherry, Fire Cherry
- Mature Height: 25-30 feet (7.6-9.1 meters)
- Native Region: Native to North America, including Maine
- Flowers: White, in clusters of 4 or 5, appearing in May
- Fruit: Bright red, translucent, pea-sized, ripe from July to August
- Uses: Provides protection and cover for soil on clearings or burned areas, edible gum
The Pin Cherry, Prunus pensylvanica, is a tiny tree that is abundant in Maine landscapes. It rarely grows taller than 25-30 feet and has a diameter of 6-10 inches. It has thin, horizontal branches and a narrow, spherical head. The bark of mature trees is dark red-brown and breaks into thin plates, whereas the bark of juvenile trees is smooth and reddish-brown. When rubbed, the inner bark is mildly fragrant and bitter, with orange lenticels evident.
The Pin Cherry’s leaves are alternating and thin to oblong, reaching a length of 3-4 inches. They are bright green and lustrous on the top, with no hairs underneath. The leaves have a pointed shape, finely toothed edges, and a bitter and fragrant flavor. The petiole contains glands.
The Pin Cherry blooms in May, with clusters of white blossoms that normally comprise 4 or 5 individual flowers. When the leaves are barely partially developed, these blooms appear. The Pin Cherry fruit is bright red, nearly translucent, and about the size of a pea. It is globular in shape and ripens between July and August.
Pin Cherry twigs are lustrous and reddish-brown, with little, reddish-brown buds grouped at the ends of the branches. A black, warty fungus growth known as “black knot,” however, can occasionally deform these buds.
Pin Cherry wood is soft, light, and coarse-grained, although it is not economically used. This tree, on the other hand, produces edible gum.
Pin Cherry trees have little monetary worth but are an important part of Maine landscapes. They can be found all over the state and are mostly employed for soil preservation and ground cover in freshly cleared or burned regions. Because of their modest size and narrow shape, they are ideal for filling gaps or giving privacy in gardens and landscapes.
3. Common Chokecherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus virginiana L.
- Common Name(s): Common chokecherry
- Mature Height: It usually reaches a height of 25 feet (7.6 meters) and has a diameter of 6 inches (15 cm).
- Native Region: Common chokecherry is native to North America.
- Flowers: The flowers of common chokecherry appear from May to June on slender stalks in racemes. They are typically white and fragrant.
- Fruit: The fruit of common chokecherry ripens from July to September. It is about 1/4 to 1/3 inch (0.6 to 0.8 cm) in diameter and starts as a bright red color, eventually turning dark red or nearly black. The fruit is slightly astringent but is still edible.
- Uses: Common chokecherry is not used commercially due to its wood not being strong enough. However, the fruit can be used in various culinary applications, such as making jams, jellies, and pies.
The common chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) is a tiny tree or shrub widespread across Maine, especially along fence rows in farming towns. It grows to a height of around 25 feet and has a diameter of 6 inches.
The bark of the common chokecherry is smooth and grayish brown, with long, light-colored cracks. The leaves are alternating, dull-looking, and up to 4 inches long. They are the broadest at the end and have beautifully serrated edges. As the leaves grow, they lose their bristles and become medium-leathery in texture.
Common chokecherry blooms in May and June, with fragrant flowers clustered in racemes on slender stalks. The blossoms are white and lend a lovely touch to this tree. Following the flowering season, the tree bears fruit from July to September.
The fruit begins brilliant crimson and grows to a dark red to nearly black tint. Although the fruit is slightly astringent, it is edible and can be used in recipes like as jams, jellies, and pies.
Chokecherry trees are common in Maine settings and require minimal care. They can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and prefer full sun to mild shade. The tree can withstand drought and is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
However, it is susceptible to a fungus growth known as a “black knot,” which can cause twig deformities. To reduce the risk of black knots, evaluate the tree regularly for signs of the fungus and clip problematic branches as soon as feasible.
Common chokecherry is often utilized as a decorative tree in landscaping in Maine. Its bright white blossoms stand out against the dark green leaves. Furthermore, the fruit can be collected and used in a variety of culinary preparations. It is crucial to note, however, that the wood of common chokecherry is not commercially employed due to its weakness.
Common Cherry Trees In Maine – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, I will cover some of the most frequently asked questions on the internet about common cherry trees in Maine.
Are there wild cherry trees in Maine?
Yes, there are wild cherry trees in Maine. Maine has several species of wild cherry trees, the most common of which is the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). These trees can be found throughout the state, especially in forested areas, along roadsides, and open fields. Black cherry trees bear small, dark fruits that are edible to both wildlife and humans, though they can be bitter when eaten raw. Furthermore, due to its beautiful reddish-brown color and fine grain, the wood of the Black Cherry tree is valued for use in woodworking. So, if you are in Maine and exploring the natural landscape, you might come across these wild cherry trees.
What should I consider before growing cherry trees in Maine?
Before planting cherry trees in Maine, take into account factors like the climate and hardiness zone (zones 4 to 7 are typically suitable), the particular cherry tree variety that is best suited to your area, soil quality, and pH (cherry trees prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil), sunlight requirements (cherry trees typically need full sun), space for mature tree size (cherry trees can become quite large), potential pest and disease issues (cherry trees can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases), and other factors.
Consider the local wildlife as well because birds might be drawn to the cherries, necessitating the use of bird netting or other security measures to protect your crop.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Forest Trees of Maine, Maine Department Of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
- Identify Maine’s Common Foliage Trees, Maine Foilage
- Plants for the Maine Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension.
- Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension
