Name
			
			
			
Common Chokecherry
			
		
		
			
			
Scientific Name
			
			
			
Prunus virginiana
			
		
		
			
			
Wildlife Value
			
			
			
Good
			
		
		
			
			
Average height
			
			
			
20'
			
		
		
			
			
Origin
			
			
			
Native
			
		
		
			
			
Shade Tolerance
			
			
			
Moderate
			
		
		
			
			
Drought Tolerance
			
			
			
Good
			
		
		
			
			
Growth Rate
			
			
			
Slow
			
		
		
			
			
Fruit
			
			
			
Bitter Berries
			
		
		
			
			
Special Characteristics
			
			
			
White Flowers
			
		
		
			
Seedling Size
			
8"-16"
		
		
			
			
 
			
			
			
 
			
		
	
General Description
This small suckering hardy tree or large shrub is native throughout Minnesota.  The leaves and fruit stones are poisonous containing hydrocyanic acid.
 
Pests
Common diseases include X-disease, black knot, stem decay, shothole and Valsa canker. Common insect pest is prairie tent caterpillar. Deer commonly browse choke-cherry. Extract of various Prunus species are toxic to various insect pests.
 
Uses
Fruits ripen in late summer to a bright red to a redish purple andare commonly used for jellies and jams, but highly delectable source of food for birds.