The choke cherry is a pioneer species usually found on open sites with rich, moist soils. Because birds distribute the seeds, this species is common on the borders of woods, in sunny clearings and along fencerows. The fungus-caused black knot disease often disfigures the trees with black, irregular swellings which lead to plant dieback.
Tent caterpillars can defoliate the entire tree.
This is one of the most widely distributed large shrubs or small trees in North America, occurring from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan, south to New England, North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Kansas. It is native throughout Iowa.