Except for heavy clay, is adapted to a wide range of soil textures, but most sites are characterized by silty or sandy soils with good depth, fertility, and drainage. Provides forage, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and species diversity. Forms open thickets that allow big game access to abundant amounts of nutritious and relatively palatable browse. Well-adapted to disturbance by fire. Moderately resistant to fire mortality, and, although easily top-killed, sprouts vigorously from surviving root crowns and rhizomes following most fires.
Vegetative reproduction represents the primary mode of postfire regeneration in chokecherry.
To a lesser degree, it also involves germination of off-site seed dispersed by mammals and birds. Plant frequencies increase on most sites in response to fire. Although browsed year-round by deer, it is used more intensely in spring and fall. Despite its deciduous nature, it maintains relatively high nutrient levels throughout late fall and winter. Fruits eaten by cottontail rabbit, least chipmunk, and black bear.