Bitter Cherry

Bitter cherry is a small, fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub native to western North America. It is often one of the first trees to establish after fire or disturbance, playing an important role in early successional forests. White spring flowers support native pollinators, while the small dark cherries are an important food source for birds and mammals, despite being bitter to humans. Bitter cherry tolerates poor, rocky soils and provides short-lived but valuable structure and shade as forests recover. The bark is chocolate brown with reddish raised lines and the oval leaves turn yellow in autumn. It is a great option for hedgerows and woodland gardens.