(Cerasus avium (L.) Moench)
Habitus
- it is a tree growing to a height of 20 – 25 m, crown ovoid to irregular, high in the growth
- bark is red-brown to violet
- typical transverse (boat-shaped) protruding lenticels are formed on the bark
- bork is grey-brown, peeling in transverse strips, shallowly cracked at the base with protruding margins
Buds
- buds are spirally arranged on the twig
- buds are ovate-conical, leaf buds are sharply pointed, flower buds are rounded - piled at the end of the branches
- covering scales are reddish-brown
Shoots
- shoots are straight, reddish-brown, later grey-brown
- shortened shoots - brachyblasts, on which flower buds are formed, are common
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- the leaves are simple, oblong-ovate, sharply pointed, wedge-shaped to rounded at the base, roughly serrate along the margin
- the leaves are 7 - 15 x 3 - 8 cm in size, the petiole is 3 - 5 cm long
- at the base of the leaf under the leaf blade there are two prominent convex red glands
Flowers
- the wood is unisexual, flowers are bisexual
- it blooms in May before the leaves develop
- flowers are five-petaled, white, they grow in umbel-like clusters
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is a spherical drupe about 10 mm in size, red to dark red, sweet or bitter, it ripens in July
- the stone is spherical, smooth, yellowish, 6 - 7 mm in size, the stone is easily separated from the stem
Extension
- in Europe it is native, except for the northernmost parts
- in Slovakia, from lowlands to 860 m above the sea level, mainly in oak and beech forests
- in stands, it is scattered singly
- it is a tree of lowlands to hilly areas
Ecology
- it is a light-loving to semi-shaded tree
- it grows well on fresh fertile soils
- it does not tolerate drought or excess moisture
- it is resistant to low temperatures
Significance
- it is a fruit-bearing tree
- it provides very valuable - high-quality wood suitable for the production of furniture and various utility items
- it is a very impressive landscape element - especially during flowering (May)
