BLACK CHERRY
(WlLD CHERRY)

The black or wild cherry is a medium-sized tree, seldom growing more than fifty feet tall, with wide spreading branches. The bark on young trees is smooth and mahogany colored. As the tree ages, the bark becomes dark gray and is broken into irregular formations that have a tendency to peel off.

The wood of the wild cherry is valued by cabinet makers who use it for veneer work. A finished piece of furniture has a luster and color that is approached only by black walnut.

The leaves are simple, oval in shape and a lustrous shade of green. The edges of the leaves are slightly serrated with five teeth.

The wild cherry is a valuable tree to have in one's yard. It is showy in the spring when clusters of tiny, cobwebby flowers appear in profusion. After the flowers disappear, green fruit the size of a pea appear and gradually turns color until it becomes purplish black. When this happens many kinds of birds congregate to feed on the slightly bitter cherries. In the fall, the leaves range in color from scarlet to bright yellow.

The fresh fruit is also consumed by man who eats it raw or uses it in the form of jellies, preserves, or wine.

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