Practical
Plants

Prunus padus

Bird Cherry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Prunus genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Prunus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
15 m
Spread
8 m
Fertility
Flies, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed and leaves contain hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. Usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm, any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten[12][18]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[13][17][5][16]. The fruit usually has a bitter taste and is used mainly for making jam and preserves[2][8]. The fruit is about the size of a pea and contains one large seed[14]. Flowers - chewed[7][8]. Young leaves - cooked[7]. Used as a boiled vegetable in Korea[8]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. A tea is made from the bark[8].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is mildly anodyne, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[19][5]. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds, feverish conditions etc[19]. The bark is harvested when the tree is in flower and can be dried for later use[19]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[15].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[6]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[6]. Wood - hard, heavy, durable, easy to work, polishes well. It is much valued by cabinet makers[2][16][4].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia and the Himalayas.
Habitat
By streams and in moist open woods[19], usually on alkaline soils[20] but also found on acid soils in upland areas[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[14]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[14]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood, October/November in a frame. Suckers removed in late winter. Layering in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any soil, preferring a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[2][14]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present[1]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[2][14]. Very hardy but it does not like exposure to strong winds[10]. A very hardy tree[1][2], tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[9]. A very ornamental species[1], there are some named varieties[11]. The sub-species P. padus borealis is found in Scandinavia and the mountains of C. Europe. It is a shrub growing only to about 3 metres high[9]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[15]. Trees usually produce lots of suckers and will soon regenerate by this method if the main trunk is cut down[10]. This tree is a host for cereal virus vector[20]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[14]. Trees only cast a light shade and do not themselves thrive in heavy shade[10]. The fruits are relished by birds and the flowers and leaves attract many insects.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2

  6. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  12. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  13. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  18. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  19. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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