Sour Cherry
Prunus cerasus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Prunus cerasus is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Hedges in S. England.

S.E. Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - raw or cooked. Pleasantly acid, the fruit can be eaten out of hand, used in pies, preserves etc or dried for later use. The fruit is about 18mm in diameter and contains one large seed. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. When refined it is used as a salad oil. The leaves are used as a tea substitute. A gum obtained from the trunk is used for chewing.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The bark is astringent, bitter and febrifuge. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of fevers, coughs and colds. The root bark has been used as a wash for old sores and ulcers. The seed is nervine. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: Plants can be grown as a hedge, succeeding in fairly exposed positions. An excellent nectar plant, yielding both nectar and pollen. Other Uses: An edible drying oil obtained from the seed is also used in cosmetics. Seeds contain an almond -flavoured fatty oil (24 - 35%) which rapidly becomes more bitter; this is used in the manufacture of soap and is suitable for burning. The oil contains a large quantity of amygdalin. The stones are used as well: according to American data, 1,000 tons of stones yields 448 tons of kernels which can yield to 96,235.5 kg (95,563 liters) of syrup, 22,736 liters of spirits, 338,130 liters qf gum, 200 tons of powder, 3 tons of essential oil, and 4.134 tons of fatty oil. The gum obtained from the stem can be used as an adhesive. It is used in the manufacture of cloth (as a size?). A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. The plant can be used as a rootstock for cultivated cherries. The plant is used in breeding programmes for the sweet cherry. The bark contains 5 - 7% tannins, including some quercetin. The yellowish red wood is compact, rather heavy. It is suitable for use in woodwork and lathework for making pipes, cigarette holders, hoops for barrels etc.

Adhesive: Glues.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. Prefers an acid soil according to another report. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Plants are succeeding in a fairly exposed maritime position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. Long cultivated for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. See separate entries for the various sub-species. It is also a parent, with P. avium, of many cultivars of sweet cherries. Many cultivars will succeed on a north or east facing wall. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants produce suckers freely. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A sprouting standard sending up shoots from the base.

Propagating it: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering in spring. Division of suckers during the dormant season. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cerasus communis. C. vulgaris.