Prunus serotina var. eximia
Escarpment Black Cherry
Prunus serotina var. eximia, escarpment black cherry is a medium sized deciduous tree. It has attractive bark, showy white blooms, and yellow fall foliage. Fruits are attractive to wildlife. Prefers medium water use.
All parts of tree except fruit are poisonous to humans and mammals, larval hosts for moths, black knot.
Poor potential utility as an urban tree based on evaluation of 8 trees, slightly unhealthy crown, 88% survival, very fast growth rate. Evidence of herbivory and leaf dieback found on a few individuals. Multiple individuals suffered from a disease that caused dieback to the base of the plant. These trees have subsequently resprouted. Not a reliable species.
We got decent germination with a 3 month after-ripening period, then a 24 hour hot water soak, 5 day aeration, then sown in January in unheated hoop house. Future trials should include warm stratification prior to cold. Seedlings are growing at a moderate pace.