Bird Cherry - Prunus padus

Irish name - Donnroisc
Ulster Scots name - Hagberry
Rose family - Rosaceae

Characteristics

• Bird cherry ranges in height from 3 to 15m.
• Young trees are conical, becoming rounder with drooping branches when mature.
• The fruit is despite their bitter taste the fruit are eaten by birds, like Robins and Thrushes.
• This tree is frequently used in traditional wildlife hedges.

Season

• Bird cherry produces masses of creamy white almond-scented blossoms during May.
• The fruit ripens in August, but is too sour for us to eat.

Preferred Environment

• In upland areas, bird cherry is frequently found on acid soils, particularly along valleys.
• In the lowland it occurs in wet woodlands where ground water contains chalk or limestone.
• The tree is very hardy but not tolerant of exposure to very strong winds.
• It casts only a light shade and will not thrive beneath a dense canopy. It can be found in open areas, at the edges of woods, and along streamside’s.

Wildlife Associations

• Bird cherry attracts butterflies, bees, many insects, and a variety of birds.

Uses

• Cherry wood is strong, fine-grained, and of a red colour. It is easily worked and can be highly polished.

Please remember...

Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).