Black Cherry Prunus is a genus of 120 to 400 species that contain fruitwoods like cherry, plum and almond. The species are native to North America, Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean region.
All species look alike microscopically.
The word prunus is the classical Latin name for the cherry tree. It also occurs in high elevations in Mexico. It is shrubby under poor growth conditions and at the northern limit of its range. It does best on the rich, moist soil of the Appalachians. The sapwood is light yellow, while the heartwood is brownish with a greenish tinge, darkening upon exposure to a deep reddish brown with a golden luster.