Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-12-08
The Wild Black Cherry.

attract the attention OF European explor-
ers were the wild cherries. Although they
did not compare favorably with the cult
waited cherries Of Europe, which have
since been improved upon, yet they were
not to be desnlsed, and the rly settlers
made good use Of them.
OF Our native cherries, the one that
forms the largest tree and is of the most
importance is the wild black cherry,
sometimes called cabinet or rum cherry.
This tree has wide range, extending
from southern Ontario TO Dakota and
south 10 Florida, Kansas and Texas. The
tree reaches a maximum diameter of four
feet, and height OF eighty or ninety feet
Generally it is much smaller. II grows
largest along the mountains from Penn
Sylvania south. The tree does best in a
rich moist loan, but can adapt itself to
almost any soil. II is widely distributed
b. the birds. 1t is common thing TO
see wild cherry trees Springing up along
fences where the birds have deposited
the seeds. We have it as a principle that
trees, shrubs and plants with pulpy fruits
have seeds so hard that they are not de-
Stroyed by animals and birds. The sweet
juices in them also allure the birds that
diSperSe the seeds. AS flowers have
developed brightly colored petals to at
tract insects, so have many fruits pro-
duced brightly colored coverings as a
sign or advertisement for the birds TO
come and eat. Before the seeds are ripe.
the fruits are green or inConSpiCuOuS and
filled with bitter or sour juices. The
seeds would only be destroyed if eaten
when immature, so nature uses this meth
cd to protect them. 1t is not often that
the wild black cnery grows in dense
woods. 1t is generally found in open
fields, in thickets, along the borders Of
woods and along fences. In the East
one can often see where fences have
stood by the interminging OF the wild
cherry, SaSSafraS, sour gum and juniper,
all planted by birds. ! nave observed
rows of these trees where no trace OF a
fence has been seen for years, yet we
know the fence once existed. In the
West the tree is often associated with
ash, maple, SaSSafraS and elm.
The wild cherry has a stout trunk,
spreading branches and a rounded head
II the tree is crowded, the general out
line is cylindrical and the head narrow.
Frequently the tree forks, sometimes near
the ground, and it is not an uncommon
thing to see where one has developed
several trunks.
In old trees the black or dark brown
bark is rough aid broken into small, ir-
regular, flat or slightly rounded plates.
On young trees and branches the reddish
brown bark is smooth and shining.
Sometimes il peeIS and curlS on the edges
like the bircheS. The inner bark is bitter
and aromatic. Years ago it was popu-
lar home remedy for many diseases. The
wood of the wild black cherry is reddish
brown, and like that Of some other trees
darkenS with exposure. The wood is
strong, OF medium weight thirty-siX
pounds per cubic foot, close grained,
and capable OF a fine polish. II S very
useful for the interior finish Of houses and
for cabinet work.
The simple leaves are alternate on the
stem. The spray is delicate and droop-
ing. The leaves are two TO five inches
long and from one to one and half in
ches vice, with Sawlike teeth on the mar
gin. They are green and shining above,
paler beneath. They turn bright yellow
in autumn. During the day in midsum-
mer the leaves curl, exposing less sur
face to the sun.
The wild black cherry blooms in May,
when the leaves are about half grown.
The blossoms are in a many-fIowered
raceme, three or four inches long. The
pure white flowers are about one-fourth
of an inch across, and have somewhat
disagreeabe odor.
The wild cherry is best known by its
fruit. These cherries are from third TO
a half inch in diameter, or about the size
of large peas. They are of shining
black color, and have purple, juicy flesh.
The fruits of Individual trees vary much
in size and flavor. They are slightly
aStringent, but with sweet and pleas
ant flavor, and are sometimes used for
pies and jelies. When soaked in whisky
or brandy they impart to the liquor an
agreeable flavor, forming what is known
as cherry bounce, which was much used
for toni: and for IFS cheering effects
a few generations ago. The flavor OF
"bounce" is due to an active principle
called amygdalin, found also in the seeds
OF plum and peach. In this principle is
found little prussic acid. 1t is stated
that birds are sometimes overcome by
eating too many wild cherries.
This tree grows rapidly, and can adapt
itself to almost any soil, but it has many
enemies. Among these is the tent cater
pillar, very commoni in the spring on wild
cherry and apple trees. The moths COL
lect at the fork Of stout branchlet and
build large web or tent similar to a
dense spider web, and in this theJ live
at night or when not feeding. During the
day they 60 all over the tree, destroying
the foliage and spin a silken thread
wherever they go. The fall web worm
has a similar habit of spinning in the au-
tumn large, feecy webs. The larvae
stay within these webs and feed upon the
leaves. The promethea moth, which
feeds upon the sassafras, is very COM