Wild cherry is probably one of our most pretty trees and thankfully is fairly common. The flowers vary a little from tree to tree but they are typically white. During the late summer summer and early autumn the iconic cherries are on the tree and help our hungry birds out. 
Mature trees can grow up to 30m and live for up to 60 years, so they are quite short lived trees. The shiny bark is a deep reddish-brown with prominent cream-coloured horizontal lines. This is a great tree for beginners as it has some very distinct features. Below are some useful links:
The bark is typically a shiny red with creamy white stripes
A Wild tree tree covered in Ivy
The leaves are oval, green and toothed with pointed tips, measuring 6–15cm with two red glands on the stalk at the leaf base. They fade to orange and deep crimson in autumn and are a sight to see.
The roots of a mature Wild cherry can be quite shallow and close to the surface
Close up of the leaves. The serrated edges are a tell-tale sign
Cherry trees are hermaphrodite, meaning the male and female reproductive parts are found in the same flower. The flowers are white and cup-shaped with five petals, and measure 8-15mm across. They usually hang in clusters of 2-6.
A close up of the fruit which we know and love as cherries
General view of a Wild cherry tree in the late summer
 The fruit ranges from bright red to almost black and is round with a soft, fleshy layer.
  • Wild cherry is thought to be the most ornamental of our native broadleaf woodland trees
  • Although the seeds are distributed by mammals and birds, cherry trees can also propagate themselves by root suckers
  • Mature trees can grow to 30m and live for up to 60 years
  •  The second part of its botanical name – ‘avium’ refers to birds, who eat the cherries and disperse the seed
  •  In Scotland, cherry is sometimes referred to as ‘gean’
  • Cherry trees are hermaphrodite, meaning the male and female reproductive parts are found in the same flower
  • After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into globular, hairless deep red cherries
  • The leaf stems (petioles) have two red glands at the top
  • It is native throughout the UK and Europe, except the far north. It grows best in full sunlight and fertile soil
  • The spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees 
  • The cherries are eaten by birds, as well as mammals such as the badger, wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and dormouse
  • The foliage is the main food plant for caterpillars of many species of moth, including the cherry fruit and cherry bark moths, the orchard ermine, brimstone and short cloaked moth
  • In Highland folklore, wild cherry had mysterious qualities, and to encounter one was considered auspicious and fateful
  • Traditionally cherries were planted for their fruit and wood, which was used for making cask hoops and vine poles
  • The sticky resin was thought to promote a good complexion and eyesight, and help to cure coughs
  • These days cherry wood is used to make decorative veneers and furniture
  • The wood is hard, strong and honey-coloured, and can be polished to a good shiny brown colour
  • Wild cherry has many cultivars and is a popular ornamental tree in gardens
  • The wood burns well and produces a sweetly scented smoke, similar to the scent of its flowers
  •  Pruning at the wrong time of year can put trees at risk from silver leaf disease, which can also eventually kill the tree
  • Dieback can be caused by damage from the cherry black fly, Myzus cerasi
  • A green dye can also be prepared from the plant
  • The gum from bark wounds is aromatic and can be chewed as a substitute for chewing gum
  • Varieties of cherry tree which develop pink flowers are grown in ornamental purposes. They do not usually produce fruit
  • "Hanami" is an ancient Japanese tradition of viewing cherry trees while they are in bloom
  • Japanese people track weather forecast which determines exact time of blossoming and they gather in large numbers in parks and temples to celebrate beauty of these flowers when they finally appear
  • Fruit production starts 3 to 4 years after planting. Tree reaches maturity after seven years
  • Cherry is rich source of vitamins C and dietary fibers. Sour cherry also contains vitamin A
  • Sour type is a bit healthier than the sweet type
  • Cherries have low caloric value. 100 g of cherries have only 63 calories
  • Cherries are popular and often used in the industries of jams, jellies, ice-creams, marmalades, sauces and juices
  • Scientific experiments showed that cherries have potential to reduce inflammation and sensation of pain in rats
  • Around two million tons of cherries are produced each year. Turkey is the greatest manufacturer of cherries in the world
  • Cherry tree can survive and produce fruit around 100 years
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order:Rosales
Family:Rosaceae
Genus:Prunus
Subgenus:Cerasus
Species:P. avium
Binomial name
Prunus avium
If there is anything out of place or wrong please contact me. Equally if there is anything you wish to add please let me know. The more information we have about Wild cherry the better. Many thanks!