Although Wild Black Cherry grows large and tall, it can be trimmed to shrub size to fit into your butterfly garden. Trimming the tree encourages butterflies and moths to lay eggs lower, within your view. If you find eggs or caterpillars on a black cherry in another area, you can transfer it to your tree and protect it from predators with a sleeve.

Red-spotted Purple butterflies will lay their eggs on the tip of the leaf.
Tiger Swallowtail butterflies lay green smooth eggs anywhere on the leaf.
Cecropia Moths eggs are usually on the underside of a leaf or on a stem. They are larger than butterfly eggs, slightly flat and beige/brown.

Botanical Name: Prunus serotina

Common Names: Black Cherry

Plant type: Tree

Zone: 3 - 9

Light: Sun to light shade

Size: 40 - 60 feet. Can be trimmed to shrub size.

Water: Water frequently especially when first transplated

Soil: Well drained soil

Propagation: Seed - Will seed readily around the tree

Bloom: White

Note: Host plant for Red-Spotted Purple butterfly, Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, and Cecropia Moth

Note: Birds eat the fruit of this tree.

Note: All parts of the plant are poisonous.