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| Leaf Photo by: Keith Kanoti |
Bark Photo by: Keith Kanoti |
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| Fruit Photo by: Paul Wray |
Tree Photo by: Dave Powell |
Chokecherry is an important food source, providing berries for birds and winter twigs for larger mammals.
Chokecherry can be found from coast to coast, and covers all of southern and central Ontario north to the tip of James Bay and west to Opasquia Provincial Park. Its may be a small shrub in the far north but can become a small tree in southern Ontario.
Chokecherry is most noticeable in flower, with many dense, white elongated clusters of 5-petaled flowers. If pollinated, these become clusters of round shiny fruits, varying from yellow to red or almost black. The leaves are broadly oval with a short tip and finely toothed. The bark is dark grayish-brown, becoming almost black with age.
Native or planted chokecherry may become infected with a common fungal disease called black knot, which creates black, tar-like swellings on branches or the main stem. If seen developing on small branches, prune them off at the stem in the winter and burn.
Size: Up to 9 m tall
Moisture: Moist to average soils
Shade: Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade
Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils
Planting Tip: Chokecherry can be trained as a single-stemmed tree but will often sucker from the roots at the base of the stem. To reduce root suckering, carefully tear the young shoots off with your hands instead of cutting with sharp tools. More tips...
