Identification:
Leaves—leathery, elliptic with smooth acute tips, green, doubly-serrated margins
Twigs—medium-textured, gray-brown, buds reddish brown, spur shoots (with multiple terminal buds) present, with a mild almond taste
Flowers—white and clustered
Fruit—medium-large, bright red, firm yellow flesh
Bark—red to gray-brown, light but somewhat rough, with prominent horizontal lenticels, often peels
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Natural History:
Lifespan—50 – 100 years
General description—A medium to the large cherry tree of rounded habit with upright, spreading branches.
Natural distribution and habitat—Native to Europe and Asia. It occasionally forms stands, displacing native species in some areas of the US.
Conservation status—N/A
Uses—The fruit is used to make pastries, jams, and medicines for muscle soreness after exercise, improving exercise performance, gout, high blood pressure, and other conditions.