{"id":620,"date":"2026-10-12T11:19:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=620"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:19:42","slug":"cherry-plum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/cherry-plum\/","title":{"rendered":"Cherry Plum"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Prunus<\/span> cerasifera<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Cherry Plum is a small flowering tree native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. Widely planted as an ornamental, it is known for its colorful foliage, early<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms,<\/span> and<\/span> attractive<\/span> fruits.<\/span> Many<\/span> cultivated<\/span> forms<\/span> feature<\/span> purple<\/span> or<\/span> reddish<\/span> leaves<\/span> throughout<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season,<\/span> making<\/span> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> recognizable<\/span> ornamental<\/span> trees<\/span> in<\/span> landscapes<\/span> and<\/span> gardens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> showy<\/span> flowers<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability,<\/span> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> planted<\/span> extensively<\/span> throughout<\/span> North<\/span> America.<\/span> It<\/span> provides<\/span> seasonal<\/span> interest<\/span> in<\/span> spring,<\/span> colorful<\/span> foliage<\/span> throughout<\/span> summer,<\/span> and<\/span> fruit<\/span> that<\/span> attracts<\/span> birds<\/span> and<\/span> other<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Oval<\/span> to<\/span> elliptical<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Finely<\/span> serrated<\/span> margins<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Green,<\/span> bronze,<\/span> purple,<\/span> or<\/span> reddish-purple<\/span> depending<\/span> on<\/span> cultivar<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Yellow,<\/span> orange,<\/span> or<\/span> reddish<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Dark<\/span> gray<\/span> to<\/span> brown<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Smooth<\/span> on<\/span> young<\/span> trees<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Develops<\/span> shallow<\/span> fissures<\/span> and<\/span> plates<\/span> with<\/span> age<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Prominent<\/span> horizontal<\/span> lenticels<\/span> typical<\/span> of<\/span> many<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em> species<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • White<\/span> to<\/span> pale<\/span> pink<\/span> blossoms<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bloom<\/span> very<\/span> early<\/span> in<\/span> spring<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Often<\/span> appear<\/span> before<\/span> the<\/span> leaves<\/span> emerge<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Produced<\/span> abundantly<\/span> along<\/span> the<\/span> branches<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Small<\/span> round<\/span> plums<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Yellow,<\/span> red,<\/span> or<\/span> purple<\/span> depending<\/span> on<\/span> variety<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Ripen<\/span> during<\/span> summer<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Edible<\/span> and<\/span> often<\/span> enjoyed<\/span> by<\/span> wildlife<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 15<\/span> to<\/span> 25<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 15<\/span> to<\/span> 25<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Forms<\/span> a<\/span> rounded<\/span> crown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> is<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> southeastern<\/span> Europe<\/span> and<\/span> western<\/span> Asia.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> and<\/span> is<\/span> widely<\/span> planted<\/span> throughout<\/span> temperate<\/span> regions<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> as<\/span> both<\/span> a<\/span> fruit<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Within<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum,<\/span> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> is<\/span> classified<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> provides<\/span> valuable<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Honeybees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Its<\/span> fruits<\/span> are<\/span> consumed<\/span> by:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Songbirds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Squirrels<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Raccoons<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Other<\/span> mammals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The<\/span> tree<\/span> also<\/span> provides<\/span> seasonal<\/span> cover<\/span> and<\/span> nesting<\/span> habitat<\/span> for<\/span> birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> has<\/span> long<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> both<\/span> ornamental<\/span> and<\/span> culinary<\/span> purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n

                The<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Early<\/span> spring<\/span> flowers<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Colorful<\/span> foliage<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Attractive<\/span> fruit<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Compact<\/span> size<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> landscape<\/span> settings<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Its<\/span> fruits<\/span> may<\/span> be<\/span> eaten<\/span> fresh<\/span> or<\/span> used<\/span> in:<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Jellies<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Preserves<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Sauces<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Beverages<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Many<\/span> modern<\/span> ornamental<\/span> plums<\/span> and<\/span> flowering<\/span> plum<\/span> cultivars<\/span> trace<\/span> their<\/span> origins<\/span> to<\/span> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> or<\/span> hybrids<\/span> involving<\/span> the<\/span> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                    Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> contributes<\/span> color<\/span> and<\/span> seasonal<\/span> interest<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Its<\/span> early<\/span> spring<\/span> flowers<\/span> provide<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> floral<\/span> displays<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> year,<\/span> while<\/span> its<\/span> foliage<\/span> and<\/span> fruit<\/span> add<\/span> visual<\/span> interest<\/span> throughout<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    As<\/span> a<\/span> non-native<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species,<\/span> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span> helps<\/span> demonstrate<\/span> how<\/span> cultivated<\/span> trees<\/span> from<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> have<\/span> become<\/span> part<\/span> of<\/span> modern<\/span> campus<\/span> landscapes<\/span> while<\/span> providing<\/span> beauty<\/span> and<\/span> habitat<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                    Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Cherry<\/span> Plum<\/span>
                    \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Prunus<\/span> cerasifera<\/span><\/em>
                    \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Rosaceae<\/span>
                    \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                    \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 15-25<\/span> feet<\/span>
                    \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 15-25<\/span> feet<\/span>
                    \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span>
                    \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                    \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Moist,<\/span> well-drained<\/span> soils<\/span>
                    \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> 4-8<\/span>
                    \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> March<\/span> to<\/span> April<\/span>
                    \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Small<\/span> edible<\/span> plums<\/span> that<\/span> ripen<\/span> in<\/span> summer<\/span>
                    \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> provides<\/span> fruit<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span> and<\/span> mammals<\/span>
                    \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Early<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms,<\/span> colorful<\/span> foliage,<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> fruit<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Prunus cerasifera Overview The Cherry Plum is a small flowering tree native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. Widely planted as an ornamental, it is known for its colorful foliage, early spring blossoms, and attractive fruits. Many cultivated forms feature purple or reddish leaves throughout the growing season, making Cherry Plum one of the most<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-620","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=620"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/620\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/620\/revisions\/621"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}