Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana 'Schubert') is a deciduous tree native across much of North America, from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan and south through the eastern and central United States. Growing 20 to 30 feet tall with an irregular, oval-rounded crown, it produces fragrant white flowers in spring followed by dark edible fruit that birds and butterflies love. Hardy in zones 2 through 7, this small tree thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soil and tolerates shallow rocky ground, making it a tough choice for naturalized settings, hedgerows, and landscapes where resilience matters more than fussiness.
Partial Sun
Moderate
2-7
360in H x 240in W
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High
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Fragrant cup-shaped white flowers arrive in April and May, drawing pollinators to the garden before the tree sets fruit that ripens to a dark, bird-friendly crop. The wood is relatively weak, so heavy snow or ice may break branches, but this is a small price for a tree that handles drought, poor soil, and cold winters down to zone 2 without complaint. Its natural tendency to sucker means you'll need to remove unwanted shoots to keep colonies from spreading, but this same vigor makes it excellent for hedgerow restoration and wildlife habitat.
Chokecherry serves as an ornamental flowering tree, particularly valued for its fragrant spring blooms and landscape appeal. Its edible dark fruit attracts birds and wildlife, making it a functional choice for naturalized plantings and hedgerows. Beyond decoration, the tree's ability to thrive in poor, dry soil and rocky ground, combined with its hardiness in cold climates, positions it as a tough performer in restoration plantings and as a living boundary plant.
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Remove suckers promptly to prevent colonies from spreading, particularly if the tree is in a controlled landscape setting rather than a naturalized area. Prune to shape the tree early in life to manage its irregular crown form. Because the wood is weak and susceptible to breakage under snow and ice, remove dead or damaged branches as soon as you notice them to maintain structure.
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“Chokecherry is native to a vast range stretching from Newfoundland west to Saskatchewan and south through much of the eastern United States, where it has grown wild for millennia. In Missouri, it clusters on wooded slopes, bluffs, and ravines, particularly north of the Missouri River, showing how deeply rooted it is in the landscape ecology of North America. Rather than a cultivated hybrid or a recent selection, this tree represents the species Prunus virginiana as it occurs naturally across the continent, adapted through generations to harsh growing conditions.”