Bird cherry Prunus padus
Bird cherry (Prunus padus) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family, native to Northern Europe and northern Asia. It grows 8–12 m (26–39 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Bird cherry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bird cherry at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (bitter; flesh only) |
| Native to | Northern Europe and northern Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Invasive in | US (Alaska), Canada (locally): check local rules before planting |
Is Bird cherry toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves, bark
Seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide; the bitter fruit flesh is eaten but the stones are not.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bird cherry
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- Brown rot: Monilinia brown rot moves between cherries, plums, peaches and apricots. Evidence B
See Bird cherry in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (4 plants)
Questions about Bird cherry
- How far apart should I plant Bird cherry?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Bird cherry need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bird cherry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Bird cherry?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Bird cherry flower?
- From about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bird cherry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Seeds, leaves and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide; the bitter fruit flesh is eaten but the stones are not.
- What grows well with Bird cherry?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Pendulous scented flower racemes appear in mid spring with the leaves; very hardy and tolerates wet soil.
- Invasive along Alaskan streams and in parts of Canada.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata