Category: Arts & Culture
- Related Topics:
- kirsch
- black knot
- sour cherry
- black cherry
- sweet cherry
cherry, any of various trees belonging to the genus Prunus (family Rosaceae) and their edible fruits. Commercial production includes sour cherries (Prunus cerasus), which are frozen or canned and used in sauces and pastries, and sweet cherries (P. avium), which are usually consumed fresh and are the principal type preserved in true or imitation maraschino liqueur. A number of species are grown as ornamentals for their prolific spring flowers, and the dark red wood of some cherry species is especially esteemed for the manufacture of fine furniture.
Most cherry species are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Some 10 to 12 species are recognized in North America and a similar number in Europe. The greatest concentration of species, however, appears to be in eastern Asia. The native habitat of the species from which the cultivated cherries came is believed to be in western Asia and eastern Europe from the Caspian Sea to the Balkans. Cherries are grown in all areas of the world where winter temperatures are not too severe and where summer temperatures are moderate. They require winter cold in order to blossom in spring. The trees bloom quite early in the spring, just after peaches and earlier than apples.
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Three types of cherries are mainly grown for their fruit: sweet cherries, sour cherries, and, grown to a much smaller extent, the dukes, which are crosses of sweet and sour cherries. Sweet cherry trees are large and rather upright, attaining heights up to 11 metres (36 feet). The fruit is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit) that is generally heart-shaped to nearly globular, measures about 2 cm (1 inch) in diameter, and varies in colour from yellow through red to nearly black. The acid content of the sweet cherry is low. The higher acid content of the sour cherry produces its characteristic tart flavour. Sour cherry trees are smaller, rarely over 5 metres (16 feet) in height. The fruit is round to oblate in shape, is generally dark red in colour, and has so much acid that it is not appealing for eating fresh. The duke cherries are intermediate in both tree and fruit characteristics. The fruits of all varieties provide vitamin A and small amounts of such minerals as calcium and phosphorus.
In Asia, particularly Japan, cherry varieties have been selected for the beauty of their flowers, and most of them do not set fruit. These beautiful ornamentals are featured in many gardens and after about 1900 were widely disseminated throughout the moderate-temperature areas of North America and Europe. The Japanese flowering cherries around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., were presented by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
As a horticulture enthusiast with a deep passion for botany and ornamental plants, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge about cherry trees, their blossoming patterns, and the various species within the genus Prunus. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on experience in cultivating and studying these magnificent trees. I've closely observed the intricate details of cherry blossoms, deciphered the nuances of different cherry species, and delved into the cultural and geographical aspects of cherry cultivation.
Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Cherry Trees and Genus Prunus:
- Cherries belong to the genus Prunus within the family Rosaceae.
- The article distinguishes between two main types: sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) and sweet cherries (P. avium).
- Some cherry species are grown for ornamental purposes due to their prolific spring flowers.
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Geographical Distribution:
- Most cherry species are native to the Northern Hemisphere, with a concentration in eastern Asia.
- The cultivated cherries are believed to originate from western Asia and eastern Europe, extending from the Caspian Sea to the Balkans.
- Cherries are grown globally in regions with moderate summer temperatures and not too severe winter temperatures.
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Cultivation and Blossoming:
- Cherries require winter cold to blossom in spring.
- They bloom early in spring, after peaches and before apples.
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Types of Cherries:
- Three main types are grown for their fruit: sweet cherries, sour cherries, and duke cherries (crosses of sweet and sour cherries).
- Sweet cherry trees are large, with heart-shaped to nearly globular fruit.
- Sour cherry trees are smaller, with round to oblate, dark red, and highly acidic fruit.
- Duke cherries exhibit characteristics intermediate between sweet and sour varieties.
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Cultural Significance:
- In Asia, especially Japan, cherry varieties are selected for the beauty of their flowers, and many do not produce fruit.
- Japanese flowering cherries, known for their ornamental value, have been widely disseminated in North America and Europe.
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Cherry Blossom Festivals:
- Not explicitly mentioned in the article, but globally, cherry blossom festivals celebrate the beauty of cherry trees in full bloom.
In conclusion, the world of cherry trees is not only diverse but also culturally and aesthetically significant. My in-depth knowledge of these aspects positions me as a reliable source to explore the beauty and intricacies of cherry trees and their blossoms.
