Family:

Rose Family

Habitat:

A domestic tree that has naturalized in the Columbia River Gorge. It is an understory tree in mixed forests, in clearcuts, and along streams. To my knowledge, its wild distribution is in the western Columbia River Gorge, with many plants found near Bonneville Dam.

Characteristics:

1. A large shrub or small tree that grows to 30 feet tall.

2. Leaves are alternate on the stems. They are 2-4" long. Sour Cherry leaves are elliptical in shape, being a little broader at their base. The leaf edges are serrate.

3.

Uses:

1. The cherries are edible to both humans and forest animals.

2. I've observed numerous hummingbirds feeding from the 5 petal, white flowers in April and May, so it must be an important food source for them during their spring migrations.

Paul Slichter