Sour cherry

Prunus cerasus

Family: RosaceaeOrigin: NC State: native to SW Asia and Europe

Tree
Self-fruitful

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Human edibility

Only some parts are edible

Edible parts

ripe fruit flesh (fresh or dried; often used in tart cherry pies)

Hazardous parts

seeds, leaves, stems

Preparation

Remove pits. NC State: swallowing a couple of pits by accident is not expected to cause poisoning; crushed or chewed pits are more dangerous; unpitted fruit should not be blended into smoothies.

Hazard type

cyanide (cyanogenic compounds); cyanide poisoning

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Toxic to pets at the scope stated in the source line. Keep it away from dogs and cats. Scope of the source: whole-genus (Prunus spp.).

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 3a-8b (NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA system). NC State: much more cold-hardy than sweet cherry.
Mature size: Up to about 30 ft tall (NC State); width: our sources do not say. Variety sizes differ: Iowa State gives 'Northstar' 8-10 ft and 'Meteor' 10-14 ft. Spacing: Iowa State Extension rule for cherries: space trees about equal to their mature height. Iowa figure, not a Florida figure.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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