North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Idell Weydemeyer" <iwgarden@earthlink.net>]

Prunus serotina, Wild Black Cherry
http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/black-cherry/
is a great wildlife plant and occurs in much of the US. There is an
equivalent one in California
http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/black-cherry 
that has thin sweetish skin and large pit. Native people here used it for
food, for making an alcoholic drink and the pits were highly prized for
food- -but like all Prunus, the seeds are poisonous unless treated with
leaching and cooking, or other actions. The leaves and  twigs will kill
cattle, pigs, horses, etc.

http://www.equineguelph.ca/pdf/facts/Prunus%20Poisoning%20June%2026_08.pdf 

Idell Weydemeyer
Northern CA -- yes I do grow this. It is great for bees as well as other
wildlife.

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of
Jwlehman--- via nafex
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 4:21 AM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [nafex] Lori, Wild Black Cherry

Hello Lori,
 
That certainly looks like Prunus serotina, Wild Black Cherry. They are all  
over Indiana. The book, "101 Trees of Indiana" by Marion T. Jackson lists  
it as slightly bitter but eatable. I've tasted many and that description is

accurate. Due to the large seed (percentage of flesh to seed) many must be  
gathered to use them. I've been told they make good wine, but am not a wine 
 maker. 
 
The leaves are very toxic to live stock and am told can kill them  
especially if foliage is in short supply when a tree falls and cattle over
feed  on 
them. Go ahead make some jam or wine and please report back. 
 
Jerry
 
PS. ibiblio has cut me off more than once after I sent attached  files. If 
you find you send messages and they don't come back nor are  passed through 
contact the list manager to get turned back on. You will still be  able to 
receive just can't send messages through. Send a test message and  see if it

comes through. Good luck!
 
 
In a message dated 8/17/2014 10:50:05 P.M. Eastern  Daylight Time, 
rizzolori1@gmail.com writes:

While I was on Winter Island, Salem, MA, I came across these  trees and
someone there said he thought they were wild cherries. They don't  seem to
have the same structure as a cherry, but I tasted one and they do  have
similar taste and pit.

I am not an orchardist or botanist, but  am wondering if anyone knows what
these might be. I wouldn't mind making a  jelly out of them but don't want
to get poisoned!  I can't remember if  we can attach photos on this list,
but will do so and see what  happens.

Thanks,
Lori

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