Wholesale Wild cherry bark

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on the wild cherry tree

description
Prunus serotina is a flowering tree in the Rosaceae family.

Wild cherry as the plant is commonly known, is one of the largest of the cherries and will typically reach heights of 50-80 feet—and less frequently even to 100 feet. It is graced with a narrow-columnar to rounded crown. The narrow glossy green leaves are oblong-ovate to lanceolate (to 5” long); they have acuminate tips and serrate margins.

Its spring bloom is profuse; it has attractive summer foliage; and striking fall color. In the spring (roughly late April-May), fragrant white flowers appear along with the foliage in slender pendulous clusters (with racemes to 6” long). The tree's flowers are followed by drooping clusters of small red cherries (up to 3/8 inch in diameter). These ripen in late summer when they will turn dark purple-black.

The tree's green foliage will turn to attractive shades of yellow and rose in fall. Mature trees develop dark scaly bark. Seed production will begin at about 10 years of age, but does not become heavy until 30 years. This production can continue up to 100 years.

common names & nomenclature
Specific epithet serotina is derived from the Latin word for “late”. This moniker is in reference to this cherry tree's late flowering and fruiting in comparison to other cherries.

Also known as:
wild cherry bark, virginia prune bark, wild cherry, black cherry, sweet cherry, mountain black cherry

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for wild cherry

Prunus serotina is native to eastern North America: from eastern Canada through southern Quebec and Ontario; south through the eastern United States to Texas and central Florida; with various populations in Arizona and New Mexico; and in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala.

03.
Cultivation and Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting wild cherry

climate
Wild cherry grows in sunny fields, roadsides, waste land, and forest-margins. Occurs in both lowland and upland woods and along streams.

soil
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil.

growing
Seed requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate. Transplant out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Can also propagate via cuttings or layering.

harvesting
The bark is harvested in the autumn and should not be stored for longer than one year since it quickly loses its medicinal properties. Young thin bark is preferred.

preserving
Store dried wild cherry bark, cut pieces and dried wild cherry bark, powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

Formulas & Recipes

What is wild cherry bark tea good for?

In foods and beverages, wild cherry is used as a flavoring agent. Some people eat the seeds as snacks. The fruit of wild cherry is eaten fresh, in jams, or used in liquors or syrups. Using wild cherry bark at home is easy, but it must be handled with care. Unlike other hard materials that need to be decocted, or simmered in boiling water, wild cherry bark must be allowed to steep in hot water and never boiled, or the active compounds in the bark will be lost.

Wild cherry bark tea

• Grind dried wild cherry bark coarsely.
• Add to a tea ball and steep in just boiled water.
• Cover for 8-10 minutes.
• Sweeten with honey to taste.

Wild cherry bark syrup uses

Wild cherry syrup is traditionally used in syrups.

Wild cherry bark cough syrup recipe

One of the best ways to preserve wild cherry bark is to make a simple syrup, which will last indefinitely if properly stored. To make wild cherry syrup the easy way, just fill a mason jar 2/3 of the way with bark and cover with brandy. After 30-45 days, strain and blend with reserved liquid with an equal amount of honey and bottle.

How to make wild cherry bark tincture.

• Place the wild cherry bark in clean container with a good seal
• Pour vodka about 1 inch over the top of the wild cherry bark
• Seal and allow to sit in a cool dark place for a couple months
• When it reaches your preferred intensity, filter out the wild cherry bark