Black Cherry: Evolution of a Species

Abstract

For the last century black cherry (Prunus serotina) has comprised a significant portion of the tree canopy across the Allegheny National Forest. But black cherry's rise to prominence has a complicated history. Following unsustainable timber harvesting in the early 20th century, clearcut forests encouraged pioneer species such as black cherry to thrive. Industrialization later increased the amount of nitrate present in the air, and the new environmental conditions further enhanced the dominance of this nitrogen-demanding species. For years, the timber industry benefited from an abundance of the most in-demand tree species available. This changed in the early 2000s, when the establishment, growth, and survival of black cherry began to diminish. Northern Research Station (NRS) researchers and partners are studying what caused this dominant population to decrease and are also investigating possible methods to slow the species' decline.

Citation

USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2022. Black Cherry: Evolution of a Species. Rooted in Research. Issue 11, October 2022. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2p.