Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is a North American shrub or small tree with white spring flowers and red to dark fruit. Fruit are used cooked but leaves and pits contain cyanogenic compounds and require caution.

Key Facts

  • Native shrub or small tree of North America.
  • Produces white spring flower racemes.
  • Fruits ripen red to dark purple or black and attract birds.
  • Fruit flesh is used cooked in jams and sauces.
  • Leaves seeds and stems contain cyanogenic compounds.
  • Spreads by root suckers and can form thickets.
  • Tolerant of a range of soils including clay and loam.
  • Performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
  • Used in windbreaks hedgerows and wildlife plantings.

Chokecherry Prunus virginiana is a North American shrub or small tree valued for spring racemes of white flowers and late summer fruit that birds love and can be cooked into jams. The plant spreads by root suckers and contains cyanogenic compounds in leaves and pits so placement and livestock access require caution.

Identification

Deciduous shrub or small tree that commonly reaches about 10 to 20 ft tall with a similar shrublike spread and may form wider thickets from root suckers. In spring it produces showy white racemes and fruits that ripen from red to dark purple or black.

Where to grow and landscape uses

Hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7, chokecherry performs best in full sun and tolerates partial shade. It adapts to a range of soils including clay and loam and prefers moist, well drained sites though it will tolerate some periodic wetness. Common landscape uses include windbreaks, hedgerows and wildlife plantings where birds will feed on the fruit.

Planting and spacing

Allow room for the plant to spread. Individual plants often reach 10 to 15 ft across and will send up suckers that enlarge a planting over time, so space plants accordingly for hedgerows or let them naturalize where thickets are desired.

Watering and soil care

Chokecherry tolerates a range of soils but prefers moist, well drained loam. Avoid planting where water stands long term because poor drainage stresses the plant. After establishment, plants are reasonably tolerant of variable moisture but will show stress in persistently waterlogged conditions.

After-flowering care and pruning

Prune to remove unwanted suckers and to maintain a single-stemmed form or open shrub habit. Regular removal of basal shoots prevents thicket formation where a solitary specimen is wanted. Pruning after flowering preserves the season’s fruit and next year’s bloom structure.

Spread, propagation and containment

Chokecherry spreads readily by root suckers and can form colonies if not managed. It can also be propagated by seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, division and grafting for selected cultivars. Where suckering is a problem, remove shoots at the base when small and consider a maintenance plan to keep the planting within bounds.

Fruit uses and toxicity

Ripe fruit are eaten by wildlife and the flesh is used cooked in jams and sauces for people. Seeds, leaves and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides and crushed pits or wilted foliage can release cyanide, posing a hazard to livestock and pets. When using fruit for food, remove pits and cook the flesh.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Chokecherry grow?
Growth rate varies with site and cultivar. Plants commonly reach about 10 to 20 ft tall and will expand further by sending up root suckers.
Is Chokecherry poisonous to pets or livestock?
Yes. Leaves, stems and pits contain cyanogenic compounds. Wilted foliage and crushed pits are particularly hazardous. Consult local poison control or extension guidance for exposure concerns.
Can I use chokecherry in a hedgerow or windbreak?
Yes. It is commonly used in hedgerows and windbreaks and provides fruit for birds, but expect suckering and plan maintenance accordingly.
What soil does chokecherry prefer?
Prefers moist, well drained loam but tolerates heavier clay and some periodic wetness. Poorly drained, standing water will cause stress.
When does chokecherry bloom?
Blooms in spring, typically April to May in temperate northern locations, producing white flower racemes.
How do I control suckers?
Remove basal shoots at the origin when small and include regular maintenance pruning to prevent thicket formation where a single plant is desired.

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