Prunus padus L.

A deciduous tree. It grows 6-15 m high. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is dark grey and smooth. The bark has scattered pores and peels off. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long by 6 cm across. They taper to a point. The leaves are leathery with fine, regular teeth around the edge. The leaves are dark matt green and usually turn red or yellow in autumn. The flowers are white and almond scented. They hang in long spikes. The flowers are 1 cm across and the spikes 15 cm long. The fruit are black cherries. They are 8 mm long. The fruit contains a hard oval stone.

By streams and in moist open woods, usually on alkaline soils but also found on acid soils in upland areas. Forest and scrub, most frequently growing on calcareous or base-rich substrates, avoiding very dry or very acidic conditions.

The fruit are bitter. They contain tannin. They are used for jams. The fruit are used to flavour brandies and wines. The young leaves are used as a boiled vegetable. The flowers are chewed. The bark is used for tea.

Can be grown by cuttings, graftings or seedlings.