Prunus padus | Bird Cherry
Native to northern Europe and north Asia, the Prunus padus is a splendid, medium-sized flowering Cherry with a rounded crown. It has oval, hairless green leaves, with fine sharp serrations along the edge that turn orange, yellow and bronze in autumn. April to May the Prunus padus has clusters of white blossom that hang on racemes. The flowers have a distinctive almond smell and are a great source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. After pollination the flowers develop into small, black fruits that have a bitter taste but are enjoyed by birds and other mammals. The bark is grey-brown and smooth, and has an unpleasant acrid smell. The Prunus padus is a very hardy tree that will grow in all soil types, and will tolerate wet ground, exposure and wind. There are a few cultivars of the Prunus padus, in particular the Prunus padus 'Albertii'. This tree has been cultivated in an upright form ideal for street planting.