Black Cherry is a large, overstory tree and one of the best trees you can have in your yard for wildlife.  It is a larval host for more than 400 butterfly and moth species, and it attracts birds, native bees, honey bees and Monarch butterflies.
 
     Black Cherry is considered a Keystone Plant because it feeds so many caterpillars, and that also makes it a great tree for supporting birds and other animals that depend on caterpillars to feed themselves and their young.
 
     It's also a beautiful tree for the landscape.  Small, white and fragrant flowers hang in racimes in early spring, and edible, 1/2-inch red berries turn black in summer. 
 
     Bluebirds, blue jays, cardinals, crows, woodpeckers, etc. eat the berries, as do grouse, turkey and mammals including red fox, raccoon, squirrels and rabbits.
 
     Black Cherry makes an intriguing profile, often with a meandering trunk.  It's a great, tall shade tree or lawn specimen and easily integrates into a garden setting.
 
     For more information read my 1st blog ever, on Black Cherry Tree, here.