Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)

Form

A shrub or small tree; height usually not over 20 to 25 feet, diameter 4 to 8 inches; with an irregular, rounded crown.

Bark

Thin; on young trees is smooth, shiny, brownish and peels off easily in thin, film-like layers; becomes thicker dark grayish, with shallow fissures; inner bark has bitter cherry flavor and aroma.

Leaf

Alternate, broadly oval, abruptly and sharply pointed, fine-toothed, bright green above, paler underneath; length 3 to 4 inches, width 1 to 2 inches.

Fruit

A drupe, in dense clusters; reddish, turning nearly black when fully ripe; each berry containing a single seed, skin of fruit thick; flesh thin and dark; very astringent to the taste, but edible.

Range

Common throughout state along streams, open woods, cut-over and brushy areas.

Wood

Heavy, hard, not very strong; of no commercial value in Wisconsin.

Notes

Popular tree for birds. Most widely distributed tree in North America, extending from the Arctic Circle to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Rockies.