Bird cherry
Prunus padus · Rosaceae
📷 Игоревич · Public domain
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bird cherry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, white flowers in drooping clusters
- Mature size
- Up to 10 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20°C and below)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Fertile, well-drained, tolerant
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Bird cherry thrives in ordinary, fresh, well-drained soil with minimal pruning after flowering.
The common mistake
Thinning or pruning too early reduces flower clusters and decorative fruit.
The pro's trick
Keep a naturally airy crown by removing only crossing branches.
Seasonal watch
In humid summers, watch for cankers on young shoots and cut affected wood during dry weather.
Care
Sunlight
The bird cherry thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Plant it in a bright location to promote generous flowering. It adapts well to semi-shaded spots under the canopy of other trees.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish the root system properly. Once established, it tolerates moderate dry periods but prefers slightly moist soil. During very dry summers, water occasionally.
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral is ideal. Enrich the soil at planting time with compost or potting soil. Avoid overly compact soils or areas that are regularly waterlogged.
Pruning
Pruning is not essential for this cherry. Perform light pruning in late winter to remove dead or diseased wood and shape the tree. Keep interventions minimal to preserve its natural, graceful form.
Fertilizing
An annual application of well-decomposed compost at the base is usually sufficient. No need for chemical fertilizer if the soil is fertile. In poor soil, a balanced fertilizer in spring can support growth.
Diseases and pests
Bird cherry is generally very robust. Watch for aphids in spring and wood diseases such as moniliosis in case of excessive humidity. Good air circulation and proper pruning wound care prevent most problems.
Did you know?
The bird cherry has been appreciated for centuries in Europe for its spectacular drooping cluster flowers reminiscent of strings of white pearls. Its small black fruits, though bitter, were traditionally used to make syrups and liqueurs. It's an excellent choice for naturalistic gardens as it attracts many birds that feast on its drupes.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.