Two types of native cherry tree found on the Wildlife Site are the Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and Bird Cherry (Prunus padus).
Wild Cherry (also known as Sweet Cherry) can be seen in the Field Corner W2 near to the public footpath and in the Orchard at Downlee Lodge. Clusters of attractive white flowers appear in April, providing an early food source for bees. Pollinated flowers develop into sweet cherry fruit that are eaten by birds, particularly blackbird and song thrush and by mammals. These trees have propagated in large numbers in the Orchard.
There is a Bird Cherry planted in Field Corner W1. It has grown well there and is striking for its profusion of beautiful white flowers borne on upstanding spikes in May. The small dark cherries are eaten by birds, including the blackbird and song thrush, as well as mammals including mice.
There is also a Great White Cherry (Prunus 'Tai Haku'), a spreading non-native Japanese ornamental cherry tree planted in the meadow at Downlee Lodge, near to the entrance. That bears an abundance of beautiful, large, white flowers in April that are attractive to insects, including bumble bees.
Photographs of Cherry Trees
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Wild Cherry Bird Cherry Great White Cherry
