Backyard Foraging: Wild Black Cherries
Prunus serotina, Rosaceae family
For years I've walked passed this tree, but never realized this was a type of cherry tree. The bark when mature, which tends to be the lower trunk of the tree, turns scaly, crackly, and dark so I never realized it was in the cherry family. The younger branches retain that classic smooth cherry tree bark with horizontal lenticels.
This native tree also produces edible fruits. Well..."edible" in quotes. To me, this fruit is a bit too bitter to be enjoyable for human snacking, but I know there are folks that would disagree. Processing the fruit as an alcoholic infusion or making jams and jellies is a common way to enjoy its aromatic qualities, but personally, I rather leave this fruit as a source of nutrition to support a diverse species of native birds and caterpillars.
===
NOTE: Be kind and safe while collecting wild foods. Be 300% sure what you are harvesting and eating. The pits of the black cherry, similar to other cherries, apples, and many other fruits in the rose family, have compounds that can produce cyanide, which is poisonous if consumed in large amounts. The leaves also contain potent levels of cyanide, which has caused poisoning of grazing livestock. Be sure you are allowed to harvest in that area. Keep in mind of the area where the wild edible is being grown as the land may have high levels of pollution or be sprayed with chemicals.
