How to Identify Chokecherries in the Wild

Chokecherries are common in woods and clearings throughout North America and while the fruit is usually too astringent to eat fresh, it makes an excellent syrup, jelly or wine. The scientific name for chokecherries is Prunus virginiana and they are related to cultivated cherries, apples, plums and roses.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look at the environment in which it is growing. Chokecherries are commonly found in clearings or in open sunny forests and they are often one of the first species to move in after fire or logging. While chokecherries sometimes grow alongside streams, they also require well-draining soil and they do not tolerate flooding. They will grow in all soil types except for very heavy clay.

2. Examine the tree's structure. Chokecherry trees rarely reach more than 20 feet tall and trunks are no thicker than 6 inches in diameter. Chokecherries are most often found growing in dense, shrubby thickets.

3. Feel the bark. Chokecherry bark is smooth, although it may be scaly and rough near the base of the tree, and may be slightly peeling. The bark is greyish red in color, with darker horizontal lenticels.

4. Look at the leaves. Chokecherry leaves are flat, oval or oblong and toothed around the edge.

5. Examine the flowers or fruit. Chokecherry flowers and fruit grow in a long, bottlebrush-like cluster. The flowers appear in the spring and are small, white and have five petals. The fruit ripens in late summer. Chokecherries are deep red to purple and have a large pit inside of them.

Tips & Warnings

• Other small, woodland trees produce red or purple berries. Some, like serviceberries are edible, while others such as buckthorn are not. Always make sure you are absolutely certain of your identification before eating any wild foods. Consult at least two reputable field guides or a trained expert, and when in doubt, do not eat the fruit.