Audubon® Common Chokecherry Treeling

The word “Chokecherry” gives you a pretty good indication of what this sassy little tree’s fruits taste like. They are indeed bitter enough to make you choke! Fortunately, birds absolutely adore chokecherries. It is estimated that at least 70 species of birds ravish the quarter-inch drupes in late summer. Eastern Bluebirds are eager customers, as are robins, grosbeaks, catbirds, cardinals, Blue Jays, tanagers, orioles, and cedar waxwings. Add to that bounty the many, many caterpillars and other insects that this tree hosts, and you have a veritable songbird smorgasbord. Bon appetit!

Chokecherry is a denizen of the North; it is most prevalent in the upper Midwest, New England, and well into Canada—where winter temperatures can drop to -50ºF! Its range also dips down into some southern states, but usually only at high altitudes. For ancient Native Americans in the North, chokecherries were an important part of the diet. They were dried, cooked, or mixed with other ingredients to make them palatable. Today they are occasionally made into juice, jelly, or pies… with the addition of lots of sugar!

Chokecherry makes a splash when it blooms in mid-spring. The fragrant white flowers are arranged in jalapeno-shaped clusters and are quite profuse. They attract scores of honey bees and many native pollinators as well, like bumblebees, sweat bees, miner bees, and syrphid flies.

We do the hard part. Our trees and plants are grown and cared for by only the best, local growers for years before they find their forever home in your landscape. Bower & Branch is known for having hard-to-find, substantial sizes and selection. The quality of our trees and plants are consistent in health and vigor—always ready for immediate impact in your garden and instant curb appeal. We believe in empowering homeowners with the truth about strong, healthy and structurally sound plants that are grown to perform in the ground after they leave the nursery for home delivery, always fresh inventory from the grower

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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