bird cherry

Prunus avium

Bird cherry (Prunus avium) is a species of wild cherry native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing up to 25 meters tall with a wide, spreading canopy. The bark is flaky, having a reddish-brown color with scattered short white lenticels. During springtime the tree is covered in thousands of delicate, white blossoms. The small, dark-colored fruit ripens in summer and is enjoyed by birds and mammals alike. Bird cherry is often cultivated in parks and gardens as an ornamental tree and is a useful source of nectar for bees.