Prunus avium
Cérise d'oiseau, Mérisier
Vogelkirschbaum
Vullekiischtebam

Size:
The bird cherry is a medium-sized tree and reaches a maximum height of 20 metres. It rarely grows older than 100 years.

Leaf: 
The leaf grows up to 15 cm long and is serrated and pointed at the edge. It acquires a lovely autumn colouring before the leaves fall, from yellow-orange to fiery red.

Flower/Fruit: 
The wild cherry flowers in early to late April in a relatively short period of 6 days before the leaves emerge. The flower is brilliant white and lightly fragrant. It is particularly impressive on clear nights. However, it is sensitive to late frost. The ripe bird cherries are edible and dark to black-red, but smaller than the fruits of the cultivated forms.

Wood: 
The bird cherry provides very valuable wood for furniture and veneer with a dark core and lighter sapwood. It is very hard and shiny. It also has a high calorific value.

Trivia/Use: 
In nature, the bird cherry is found in sparse forests or at the edge of forests and is also used for forestry.
Otherwise, it is a wonderful flowering tree for large gardens and parks. It is an important pollen donor for bees and bumblebees and provides food for numerous birds and mammals.