A Wild cherry tree within the Hill Barton industrial estate of Exeter, UK.
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Cherry is a flowering plant that belongs to family of roses (Rosaceae). This plant originates from Europe, Asia and northern parts of Africa.
Cherry can be found in temperate regions around the world today. It cannot be cultivated in tropical areas because seeds need to be exposed to low temperatures to ensure germination.
Sweet (also known as wild) and sour cherry are the best known varieties of cherry. Sweet variety is mostly consumed raw. Sour type is usually processed before consumption. Cherries are often used in cosmetic and perfume industry because of their beautiful fragrance.
Some varieties of cherry trees are cultivated in ornamental purposes.
Cherry tree can grow 33 feet in height. Cultivated types are usually smaller.
Cherry tree has silver-grey bark which is smooth in young plants. It becomes rough and covered with fissures in old trees.
Cherry tree has long and slender green leaves that are oval in shape. They are serrated on the edges.
Cherry tree develops beautiful white flowers during the spring. Flowers are arranged in clusters. Insects are in charge for the pollination of cherry blooms.
Varieties of cherry tree which develop pink flowers are grown in ornamental purposes. They do not 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.
Botanically speaking, cherry belongs to the group of stone fruit (drupe). It has red, dark red or almost black smooth skin. Fleshy meat is moist and usually red or yellowish in colour. A single, hard seed is located in the middle of the fruit.
One tree produces around 7000 cherries per year.
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 can be consumed raw, or as part of various sweet and salty dishes. They are also used for the manufacture of cherry wine.
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.
Wood of cherry tree has fine structure and it is often used in the manufacture of furniture.
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.
Cherry trees are hermaphrodite, meaning the male and female reproductive parts are found in the same flower, in April. Flowers are white and cup-shaped with five petals, and measure 8-15mm across. They hang in clusters of 2-6.
After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into globular, hairless deep red cherries.
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.
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.
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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
