fire cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Fire cherry is a small tree common to a variety of sites in the northern U.S. and Canada. Fire cherry is most valued for its ability to quickly reforest areas ravaged by fire. The fruits are eaten by many birds and animals.
Fall
Color.
Fire cherry is used for fiber and fuelwood.
Fire cherry fruits, although bitter, are eaten by many birds and mammals. Buds are eaten by grouse. Foliage and twigs are browsed by deer. Beavers cut down trees of all size.
Fire cherry is very intolerant of shade and requires clearcutting for maximum regeneration.
Fun facts
Fire cherry is an ecologically important tree in that it rapidly invades disturbed areas, particularly in the Northeastern U.S. It quickly stabilizes soils and helps retain crucial organic matter and nutrient constituents. It is very shade intolerant and quickly dies if overtopped.Prunus
Latin name for plum trees from Greek "prunos" (plum or cherry).
pensylvanica
of Pennsylvania.
2004 Virginia
Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming
by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen,
Guy Phillips, or Andrew
S. Meeks.
questions, comments, and criticisms: email John.Peterson@vt.edu