About this tree
Prunus cerasifera is a species of plum known commonly as the cherry plum or myrobalan plum, native to southeastern Europe and western Asia and naturalised elsewhere, particularly in Switzerland and Germany where they are a popular “Streuobst” cultivar. Wild forms are shrubs or small trees often reaching 8–12 m tall, with smooth, ovate deciduous leaves and showy flowers that appear very early in spring, often before the leaves unfurl. The flowers are white or pale pink and are followed by small edible drupes about 2–3 cm across that ripen to yellow or red in summer. This species is widely grown as an ornamental for its early blossoms and attractive form, with many cultivars selected for foliage and flower colour, including purple-leaf types. Seeing the trees in blossom is one of the heralds of spring’s arrival. Archaeobotanical research has identified P. cerasifera as an ancestral contributor to the cultivated European plum, and its fruit is used fresh and cooked to make preserves and traditional sauces, as well as schnapps in parts of Europe. The tree provides early spring nectar to pollinators and, as one of the earliest fruits to ripen, it is a vital food source to all manner of wildlife.