Ciliegio Comune Nostrano

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rosaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Prunus

Species

avium

Description

Fast-growing, deciduous, polyennial tree with an upright habitus and well-branched, expansive crown. Of high ornamental value it becomes a focal point both in spring, when a multitude of white or slightly pinkish white elegant flowers appear before the foliage emerges, and during the autumn period in a foliage process where the leaves turn from deep green to shades of yellow or red. With its excellent versatility, it is suitable for urban and suburban green spaces, such as street trees and private gardens.

Varietal description

Very common medium-sized tree, both in the wild and in parks and gardens. Dense and abundant branching, with prolonged white flowering in spring. Neat habit with oval, spreading crown, deep green leaves turning yellow and red in autumn. Excellent adaptability to various soil types and growing environments, including urban climates. Requires a sunny exposure, but tolerates partly shady areas. Develops deep roots in the soil, with many secondary roots; prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Medium height tree (max. 18 m) but multifunctional, suitable for park areas, small urban avenues, gardens, roof gardens. Has good drought resistance and adaptability to coastal areas. Resistant to pathogens and does not need much pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage.

curiosity and special features

The specific epithet, avium, means avis, i.e. bird, referring precisely to the birds that are greedy for the fruits of the wild cherry tree, thus playing an important role in its propagation by dispersing its seeds.

Cherry wood is highly valued by cabinetmakers as it is durable and has been used since antiquity for the production of fine furniture, flooring and musical instruments.

Origin and Diffusion

Species native to central and north-western Europe, Afghanistan and northern Africa, already cultivated in ancient Greece for its edible fruits.

It belongs to the botanical genus Prunus which also includes the apricot, almond, peach and plum trees as well as the sour cherry and the Japanese flowering cherry(P. serratula).

From the wild cherry tree, the sweet cherry tree was selected, cultivated for its fruits or drupes and today present in a wide assortment of varieties.

Leaf

The leaves have an oval lamina with a serrated edge and pointed apex, also distinguished by red petioles each bearing two reddish glands.

Fruit/product

The fruit is a globular berry with a medium consistency and smooth skin. It is unicoloured and ripens from early spring to late spring. On the palate, it is bitter and sweet with a delicate taste, while the aroma is fruity.

Flowering period

The elegant and luxuriant blossoming lasts from early spring to late spring for between 10 and 20 days, displaying hermaphroditic pedunculate flowers with a five-petalled corolla of white or slightly pinkish hue reclining towards the peduncle. The wild cherry is a self-incompatible species, consequently it requires pollen from specimens belonging to the same avium species in order to bear fruit.

Leaf color

Intense solid colours that gradually turn to golden yellow or dark red during the autumn period, giving the plant additional ornamental value.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 6 to 20 m representing a second size tree.

Lifespan

Deciduous polyannual tree.

Suggested planting locations

Due to its size, it is a suitable tree for open-field cultivation.

Multifunctional, it is suitable for providing elegance with its spectacular flowering as well as shelter from the intense summer sun thanks to its shady foliage in urban and suburban spaces such as boulevards, park areas, private and residential gardens.

Stem/stem

The stem is woody with shiny reddish-grey bark in young specimens, later becoming dark red-brown with horizontal striped wrinkles.

Growth

A medium to vigorous fast-growing plant.

Plant habit

Tree with erect habitus and expanded oval crown.

branching

The branching is dense and abundant.

pH

It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting at the end of winter, choose the most suitable location, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Add organic matter and apply organic or chemical granular fertiliser for a background fertilisation to ensure the nutrients the plant needs in the early post-transplant phases.

sun exposure

A heliophilous species, for best vegetative growth and abundant flowering expose the plant to bright shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C. The biological temperature is between -10 and 35 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates.

Use

For the elegance and sinuosity of its plant architecture as well as the scenic effect generated with its white spring flowering, it is suitable in the design and execution phase in different contexts of outdoor green use such as

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy variety, it is resistant to low winter temperatures as well as tolerating summer heat. It has excellent adaptability to different soil conditions and growing environments.

Soil/medium

The common cherry tree adapts to different soil types, from clay to sandy, as long as it is deep, well drained and has a suitable organic matter content.

Maintenance

The cultivation of the common cherry tree is easy with a low level of management effort required.

cultivation tips

Here are some specific tips and cultivation aspects to achieve better vegetative growth:
Avoid over-watering Prefers cool climate Correct pruning

Indiscriminate pruning of stems and branches by 'pruning off' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as to a greater danger of failure of the entire specimen.

planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 2000 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

Prune with a clean cut, using clean, sharp blades, the long, thin filaments of the smallest roots, proceed by placing the root ball in the planting hole, previously dug and kept well moist, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface, also water immediately after planting without causing water stagnation. It is advisable to tie the stem properly to the stake.

To improve weed control, retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature, a layer of mulch can be spread on the soil near the trunk.

pruning

Prune branches to raise the crown and eliminate apical dominance by tillering.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed or apical cuttings.

Irrigation

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions by watering in quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons. Drip-wing irrigation is recommended.

Fertilization

When preparing the soil for transplanting, apply slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser for a suitable background fertilisation to increase the mineral content of the soil. After proper establishment in the new planting site, during the spring-summer period distribute a balanced slow-release fertiliser for ornamental plants in the soil without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

Edibility for humans

The fruit (drupe) of the common cherry tree is edible.

Human toxicity

All parts of the wild cherry, with the exception of the fruit, are potentially toxic to humans as they contain cyanogenetic glycosides.

advise 1

Tree that always likes a good organic supply in the soil, preferably enriched with natural manure. Limit pruning to regular crown formation or for fruit production.