Prunus cerasus

Dwarf / Sour / Acid Cherry

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
5m 3
8m 5
8m 7
But depends on rootstock 9

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Rounded, shrubby 3
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (50 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 9

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Usually up to 30 years 8

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard tree 8

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Formative pruning 11, mulching, watering during dry periods 12

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Pruning of fruited branches 5

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer 1

Prunus cerasus near Gipf-Oberfrick, Aargau, Switzerland/ Daniel Ballmer/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits, including for cooking or preserves 79

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Used for turnery, furniture 9

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Gum from trunk, oil from kernel, edible leaves 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: 2-4 years 10 or 5-6 years 6

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: –

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Long-established introduction (archaeophyte) – denizen 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 5
Highest value for fruits and seeds 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Apr-May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Risk of toxicity based on other Prunus species

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Root suckers 9 when grown on own roots 12

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa 2
Bacterial canker most serious 14

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars 2 and cherry slugworms 14

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Likely low
Bullfinches may attack buds, birds attack fruits 314