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Birchbark Cherry

Prunus serrula

Also called Tibetan Cherry

Birchbark Cherry
Photo: Fab5669, CC BY-SA 3.0

Birchbark cherry is a small deciduous ornamental tree from China, grown mainly for its glossy coppery-red, peeling bark that shows well in winter. It needs full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.

Family
Rosaceae (Rose family)
Grows as
Tree
Light
Full sun
Water
Water regularly while young and during dry spells, then let established trees rely mostly on rain.
Soil
Tolerates a wide range of soils and pH, but needs good drainage.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, roughly -23 to -7 °C minimum winter temperature.
How easy
Easy
Safety
Toxic: Seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide if chewed or crushed, mainly a concern if eaten in quantity.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Edible
Yes, some parts
Native range
Qinghai to SC. China and N. Myanmar
Climate
temperate

About

Prunus serrula, called birch bark cherry, birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, or Tibetan cherry, is a species of cherry native to China, and is used as an ornament in many parts of the world for its coppery-red bark.

How to grow it

Prunus serrula is grown as an ornamental tree, especially for winter interest. It tolerates a variety of soil types and has a wide pH range. It prefers full sun and does well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8. Its potential as an invasive species is low, as it is susceptible to many common garden diseases and pests such as fire blight, powdery mildew and Japanese beetles.

It is sometimes grafted to Prunus serrulata (Japanese cherry) crowns, forming a tree with red bark and showier flowers.

Other Prunus plants

Prunus adenopoda · Red stinkwood · Prunus aitchisonii · Alabama cherry · Prunus alaica · Allegheny plum · American plum · Prunus amplifolia · Almond · Desert peach · Chickasaw plum · Prunus annularis

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Prunus serrula by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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