The bird cherry: an enjoyable asset for our garden!

The bird cherry: an enjoyable asset for our garden!

Kehrsiten, Schweiz - The bird cherry, scientifically known as prunus avium , is not only very popular because of its beauty, but also because of its ecological and culinary properties. This wild -growing tree species, which is considered a trunk shape of the sweet cherry, blooms from April to May and produces its characteristic, dark red fruits in late summer, which are similar to the sweet cherries in their optics. According to t-online can reach a height of up to 20 meters and has a lifespan of up to 150 years.

The biting fruits are completely edible for humans and animals and vary in the taste of sweet to slightly bitter. Nevertheless, pets should not swallow cherry nuclei because they can contain low amounts of hydrocyanic acid. This substance, which is dangerous in broken cores, can cause health problems. A responsible handling of this is essential; according to garden journal should children be informed about the risks of cherry kernels.

ecological meaning and properties of bird cherry

The bird cherry belongs to the family of the rose family and has the ability to thrive in warm, sunny to partially shaded locations. It prefers a nutrient -rich, calcareous soil and is widespread in Europe, especially in mixed migration forests and forest edges. This tree species not only serves as a source of feed for butterfly caterpillars, but also for numerous insects such as bees and bumblebees that are attracted by the nectar.

The white flowers that have a diameter of about 2.5 cm delight the eye in early spring until the middle of spring. In addition, the bird cherry leaves have a remarkable change in color and show themselves in green, orange up to red in the course of the seasons. These special features make the bird cherry a valuable part of every garden landscape.

history and distribution

The history of the cherry trees goes back to the Bronze Age, with the first finds of cherry nuclei come from this period. The Greeks cultivated in the 4th century BC BC different types of sweet cherries, and around 74 BC. They were brought to Rome by the Roman general Lucullus. From there, the cherries spread across the Alps to southern England, such as Forest knowledge confirmed.

The name "bird cherry" itself derives from the Latin word "avium", which means "bird", since these animals often eat the cherries. Interestingly, the term “cherry” is derived in several European languages ​​and has developed over the centuries. While the bird's cherry is of both scenic and ecological importance, it also offers numerous uses in the kitchen, be it for jam, juice, wine or even liqueur.