Yard and Garden – 05-10-2014 – Ted Griess/Extension Horticulture Assistant

Seven years ago, Rita and I closely planted three small seedlings of 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 -like , 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 clusters and were filling the air with a heavenly scent. How excited Rita became, just knowing that in approximately another month, these beautiful, fragrant 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 wonderful- tasting jelly and pancake syrup from the little berries of this . As a result, this wild sapling grew into a small . 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 pain- stakingly 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 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 even named it as its official state fruit tree.

Canada Red Chokecherry is the red- 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 sends out green 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.