Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trees and shrubs
Bitter cherry
Prunus emarginata
Bitter cherry is a deciduous tree that reaches about 80 feet at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Up to about 50 feet tall. In the wild it grows in moist soils of valleys and on mountain slopes; in chaparral and coniferous forests.
Water
Moderate
Light
Sun, Part shade, Shade
Hardiness
Zone 4
Mature height
80 ft
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Growing guide
- Growth habit
- Deciduous Tree
- Mature size
- Up to about 50 feet tall.
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- Moderate; medium drought tolerance once established
- Soil moisture
- Moist
- Light
- Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Cold hardiness
- To -23°F (about USDA Zone 4)
- Bloom
- White, Pink · Apr, May
- Grows in
- Moist soils of valleys and on mountain slopes; in chaparral and coniferous forests.
- Native range
- British Columbia, Washington, and W. Montana south to S. California and SW. New Mexico; to 9000' (2743 m) in south.
Wildlife and uses
Seeds contained in the bright red cherries are eagerly harvested by Evening Grosbeaks in early autumn.
Attracts: Butterflies
Good for: Restoration, Hedgerow, Wildlife, Landscape
Sources
Hardiness zone is estimated from the USDA minimum temperature. Uses are suggested from USDA plant traits.
