Mazzard cherry (prunus avium)

🌳 General characteristics

• Common name: Mazzard cherry tree, bird cherry tree, wild cherry tree

• Scientific name: Prunus avium

• Family: Rosaceae

• Type: Deciduous tree

• Height: Up to 20-30 meters at maturity

• Lifespan: Approximately 60 to 100 years, sometimes longer

🍒 Fruit

• Mazzard fruits are small black to dark red cherries, generally less sweet than cultivated varieties.

• They are edible, but slightly astringent. They are very popular with birds, hence its other name: bird cherry tree.

🌿 Uses

• The Mazzard is widely used as a rootstock for sweet cherry trees.

• It is particularly suited to well-drained soils.

• It gives the grafted tree vigor and longevity.

• Its wood, called cherry wood, is highly sought after in cabinetmaking and carpentry.

• It is pinkish, smooth, easy to work with, and develops a beautiful patina over time.

• It is planted for biodiversity, ornamentation, or wood production.

• It is very popular with bees in the spring for its abundant white flowers.

🌸 Flowering

• In March-April (depending on the climate).

• White flowers, grouped in clusters.

• Very melliferous.

🌱 Growing conditions

• Prefers light to medium-heavy, well-drained soils.

• Prefers a sunny location.

• Hardy to -20°C or below. (ZONE 4)

• Requires little maintenance, but is susceptible to certain diseases (such as gummosis or monilia).

🐦 Ecological interest

• Very attractive to wildlife: birds, bees, pollinating insects.

• Pioneer tree useful for forest regeneration.