Yard and Garden – 05-10-2014 – Ted Griess/Extension Horticulture Assistant
Seven years ago, Rita and I closely planted three small seedlings of Prunus
virginiana ‘Canada Red’ across the
alley from our home where we own a
small lot and have our vegetable garden.
These seedlings have now grown into
small shrub-like trees, 15 to 20 feet in
height. This past weekend, while Rita
and I were working in the garden, we
noticed they were covered with
thousands of three-inch-long white
flower clusters and were filling the air
with a heavenly scent. How excited
Rita became, just knowing that in
approximately another month, these
beautiful, fragrant flowers will be replaced by thousands of tiny one-fourth inch
red berries. Allow me to explain her exuberance.
When we first purchased our
home, many years prior to planting
these three little trees, we discovered
a native Prunus virginiana growing
wild in one of our flower borders.
Initially it, too, was nothing more than
a small seedling. At first sight,
knowing what it was, I wanted to
destroy it; but Rita convinced me
differently. She said it reminded her
of her childhood. She told me that
when she was a little girl, she
remembered her grandmother and her
mother making the most wonderfultasting jelly and pancake syrup from
the little berries of this plant. As a
result, this wild sapling grew into a
small tree. Each year, I helped Rita
harvest the berries. It was always a
challenge trying to harvest the berries before the birds picked them clean.
That little tree would still be there today if it hadn’t been for one major fault. It
suckered everywhere. In the wild, native Prunus virginiana is notorious for
spreading by underground stems, thus forming thickets. Every year I would painstakingly grub out the volunteer suckers from the flower border. Finally realizing
it was a futile battle, we both decided the tree had to go. This situation was an
example of the right tree in the wrong place. Seven years ago, when we removed
that tree, Rita insisted we plant the three Canada Red saplings across the alley.
By now you are probably wondering what these trees are. Sometimes they’re
called a bird cherry tree. I can certainly see why, knowing what a challenge it is to
beat the birds to the harvest. Furthermore, I have a hunch it was a bird that planted
our original tree in the flower border. I’ve also heard it referred to as a bitter berry
tree, also quite descriptive. However, to most people, it is most commonly known
as a chokecherry tree.
Hardy to Zone 2, chokecherry is found growing native over nearly all of North
America. In 2007, the State of North Dakota even named it as its official state fruit
tree.
Canada Red Chokecherry is the red-leaf variety of the Native American
chokecherry. It has been selected for its straight trunk, uniform growth, burgundy
foliage and abundant red/purple fruits. Interestingly, this cultivar sends out green
leaves in the spring, which turn dark burgundy by mid-summer.
Although sometimes referred to as a weed tree, chokecherry has many attributes
if grown in the right place. Because it is a small tree, it is safe to grow beneath
power lines. Its showy and very fragrant flowers are attractive to butterflies and
other pollinators. The bright red fruit is like a magnet to many song birds. And,
in spite of its ominous, almost frightening name, the fruit when cooked is actually
edible, but its taste is extremely bitter. Such pungent fruit, however, when made
into jellies and jams by adding tons of sugar, creates delicious preserves.
Furthermore, since the tree is deciduous, it also displays showy autumn color.
For the time being, Rita and I will continue to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of
our Canada Red chokecherry trees. However, if we plan to harvest the berries in
the near future, we best stay alert. I’ll swear I just saw a flock of robins sizing up
their next meal.