tree

Bird cherry

Prunus padus

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Bird cherry (Prunus padus) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium
Nectarattracts pollinators
Pollenattracts pollinators
Fruitfood for birds and wildlife

Through the year

Flowering

Flowers in late spring, typically May, with fragrant white blossoms.

Fruiting

Fruits develop after flowering, ripening in mid-summer.

Senescence

Leaves turn yellow and drop in autumn after the first frosts.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained to moist
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatespotassium, calcium
Soil textureloam, clay, sand
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseeds, cuttings
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationrequires cold stratification for 2-3 months
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionautumn

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, butterflies, birds, wildlife
Can host pestsaphids, caterpillars, cherry blackfly
Can host diseasescherry leaf spot, bacterial canker