Prunus avium
Common name: 
Sweet Cherry
Mazzard
Pronunciation: 
PROO-nus a-VEE-um
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus: 
Prunus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf, deciduous tree, under cultivation it may reach a height of 30-40 ft (9-12 m), if allowed to grow in a natural conical shape to 70 ft (21 m) or more.  Leaves are alternate, simple, oblong-ovate, 6-15 cm long, margin unequally serrate, the upper surface is dark green and rugose (wrinkled), more or less pubescent below; reddish glands develop on the petiole near the leaf blade.  Flowers are white, 2.5-3.5 cm across, in large clusters (umbles).  Fruit is ovoid, 2.5 cm, when fully ripe, bright or dark red, yellow or yellowish red, or black.
  • Full sun, best in  well-drained, loamy, fertile, moist soils, tolerate a wide range of pH levels, but a preference for acidic conditions 
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 5   Note: for the termination of bud rest and normal growth in spring, sweet cherries have a chilling requirement of between 700 to 800 hours or about 28-32 days continuously exposed to 45 degrees or less.
  • avium: Latin, Prunus avium (“bird cherry”, literally “birds' plum tree”) of birds, 
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering (April 15)

    plant habit, flowering (April 15)

  • flowering branches

    flowering branches

  • flower cluster and emerging leaves

    flower cluster and emerging leaves

  • flower

    flower

  • plant habit, green fruit (May 11)

    plant habit, green fruit (May 11)

  • green fruit and leaves

    green fruit and leaves

  • leaves

    leaves

  • plant habit, fruit starting to color (June 8)

    plant habit, fruit starting to color (June 8)

  • fruit starting to color

    fruit starting to color

  • plant habit, ripe fruit (June 30)

    plant habit, ripe fruit (June 30)

  • ripe fruit and leaves

    ripe fruit and leaves