In Southeastern United States, one can know that spring is beginning when the black cherry tree leafs. The leaves are simple with shallowly serrated margins. This medium to large sized tree will then show its many tiny white flowers on racems. These flowers eventually give way to small black cherries. Prunus serotina bark is smooth and gray with lenticels when young, peeling into flakes as it ages. Black cherry trees will sometimes host eastern tent catarpillars which eat the tree's leaves. Black knot can infect the trees, but it usually does little harm.

Black cherry is medium to large sized tree native to the United States of America.

In Southeastern United States, one can know that spring is beginning when the black cherry tree leafs. The leaves are simple with shallowly serrated margins.

Prunus serotina produces many tiny white flowers on racemes. These flowers eventually give way to small black cherries.

Black cherry trees will sometimes host eastern tent catarpillars which eat the tree's leaves. Black knot can infect the trees, but it usually does little harm.