Unknown tree with dark red berries

[njs001]

Hi,

I spotted a tree which has large (cherry-sized) dark red berries and smooth smallish (2-3 inches) leaves that taper to a point. Several berries are attached to a single bud. It is only a small tree, about 12ft tall. It blossomed in the spring time, I think white or pink, but having looked in my books and on the internet I still don't know what it is. Does anyone have any ideas? You're help will be much appreciated!

Thanks

Nick

[Tornado]

Could be Laurel, were the leaves shiney?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by njs001

Hi,

I spotted a tree which has large (cherry-sized) dark red berries and smooth smallish (2-3 inches) leaves that taper to a point. Several berries are attached to a single bud. It is only a small tree, about 12ft tall. It blossomed in the spring time, I think white or pink, but having looked in my books and on the internet I still don't know what it is. Does anyone have any ideas? You're help will be much appreciated!

Thanks

Nick

Sounds like one of the ornamental cherries that sometimes (but not always) actually produce a fruit - perhaps Prunus serrula ?

CM

[njs001]

Thanks for the replies. The leaves are not shiny and it doesn't look like Laurel. And the bark is not as distinct as Prunus serrula. However it does look like other ornamental cherry trees. How do I narrow downthe exact variety, and is it possible to tell if the fruit is edible?

Thanks again!

[Cotham Marble]

>How do I narrow down the exact variety, and is it possible to tell if the fruit is edible?<

Flower should do it - though if it is a cherry you'll need to trawl the nursery and horticultural websites or get access to a plant encyclopedia to figure which cultivar it is. I can't immediately think there is anything poisonous that could be confused with what you've described but that doesn't mean there is not something. Get a definite ident from the flowers first, if it is a cherry the fruit will probably be very bitter and probably rather dry, though possibly suitable for cooking, jam making etc.

CM

[bushcraft4]

hi there.sounds like it could be sloe berries?(blackthorn)

[Tiggrx]

Could be Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

[ladyhawk]

Originally Posted by njs001

Thanks for the replies. The leaves are not shiny and it doesn't look like Laurel. And the bark is not as distinct as Prunus serrula. However it does look like other ornamental cherry trees. How do I narrow downthe exact variety, and is it possible to tell if the fruit is edible?

Thanks again!

could be what we call a damson leaves are smaller than the fruit, if the fruit turns a darker colour and have whitish sheen its definilty a damson good for pies and jam.
look it up first just to be on the safe side

[ron1863]

Possibly wild cherry. We have some growing at the edge of our local forest and sound similar to yours. Have you tried tasting the berries? The ones I have taste a bit like a cross between a crab apple and a cherry.

[Dan Salter]

Damsons are well and truly over so i would rule that out. i think even sloes are on the turn?

My initial thought was one of the cherry crab apples...the red variety is most confusing...a gnarled tree full of red cherries in autumn?..

but i think one of these ornamental cherries is probably the case