Bird cherry
Prunus padus
The bird cherry is a deciduous tree or large shrub native to Europe and Northern Asia, often found in damp woodlands and along watercourses. It typically grows up to 15 meters tall and is easily recognized by its pendulous racemes of fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring. The bark emits a distinctive bitter almond scent when crushed due to the presence of amygdalin. Its small, black, bitter drupes are a significant food source for various bird species during late summer.
Details
Oxygen production
Produces oxygen through photosynthesis during the growing season.
Habitat function
Structural component in the shrub layer of forests, nesting site for songbirds.
Nutrient uptake
Efficiently takes up nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the moist topsoil.
Food source for
Bees, hoverflies, thrushes, starlings, waxwings, caterpillars of the ermine moth.
Human use
Use of fruits for jellies or liqueurs (cooked), wood for turnery and carving, ornamental tree in gardens.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important source of nectar and pollen for insects in spring; primary host plant for the bird-cherry ermine moth; fruits facilitate endozoochorous dispersal by birds.
Natural predators
Ermine moths (caterpillar herbivory), fungi such as bird cherry pocket gall (Taphrina padi).
Competitor species
Competes with alders (Alnus) and willows (Salix) in moist habitats.
Ecosystem service
Soil stabilization in riparian zones, provision of habitat and food for local fauna, carbon sequestration.
Threats
Loss of wetlands through drainage, forestry conversion of alluvial forests.
Scientific profile
Profile
Protection & threats
Main threats
Loss of wetlands due to drainage, river channelization, and groundwater depletion; forestry displacement by hybrid poplars.