9 best varieties of common bird cherry

Our ancestors also planted bird cherry near the house. And not only because it blooms beautifully and exudes a wonderful aroma. During flowering, the tree releases phytoncides into the air, which have a detrimental effect on pathogenic bacteria.... It was believed that if you stand in the shade of a tree, you can scare off the disease. Let's take a closer look at the varieties of common bird cherry and its areas of application.

Folk omens associated with the flowering of bird cherry

The tree blooms in May or early June. Flowers collected in oblong inflorescences smell good and attract bees. Bird cherry is a wonderful honey plant. This is another reason why they tried to plant near houses or on personal plots. A tree or shrub is widespread throughout Russia: from the European part to Siberia and the Far East... That is why, along with the birch, it can be considered a symbol of the Central Russian Plain.

The most common type of bird cherry is ordinary, it is also called carpal. She throws out brushes of white inflorescences. Of the 20 varieties of wood, 7 are cultivated on our territory... Of these, decorative species stand out. Their unusually beautiful inflorescences, from yellowish multi-colored to double pink, are used in landscape design to decorate garden and park compositions and personal plots.

But for most people, the fragrant flowering symbolizes the renewal of nature and the optimistic spring mood.

What are the varieties of bird cherry

In addition to the common bird cherry familiar to everyone, the variety of Cheryomukha virginsky took root... This beautiful plant migrated from North America.

Virginia

The tree grows up to 15 meters. Unlike the carp bird cherry, with black fruits, the Virginia bunch of berries are colored dark red... It blooms with white inflorescences. The plant looks especially impressive in autumn. The leaves turn burgundy red. It tolerates hot weather and winter well. Loves moist soil and light. Propagated from seeds and root processes. Virginia bird cherry has several varieties, according to the type of fruit (black, yellow, light red). The shape of the tree is short and with drooping branches (weeping bird cherry).

Common Colorata

More like a shrub, as it reaches a height of up to 5 meters. Unusual leaves, painted in shades of purple and red in spring, turn green by summer. In the fall, the foliage turns red again. But the plant is especially beautiful during the flowering period. Lush pink inflorescences with a delicate almond aroma... The branches and bark also have a purple hue. It sprouts from the root, so it multiplies easily. Loves moisture, light, tolerates winter well. Like most bird cherry species, it is susceptible to spring frosts. Black fruits ripen by August.

Late

The main habitat is North America, but it has taken root in the temperate latitudes of our country. A powerful tree with a well-developed crown up to 20 meters. Bright green foliage in summer, turning yellow-red in autumn. “Late” is called because it blooms 2 weeks later, in late May or early June. Black, rounded fruits ripen at the end of August. The fruits are twice as large as those of ordinary bird cherry, they are juicier and have no astringent taste. It is also called "rum cherry" due to its dessert taste. Delicious tinctures are obtained from it. The tree has a high self-fertility, tolerates winter well, has a powerful root system.

Antipka (Magaleb)

An amazing shrub with powerful roots that can live up to 200 years... Not demanding on the soil, it can grow on rocky slopes. The homeland is considered the Middle East and Europe. The value of this variety is that it is perfect for cherry and plum rootstock. Since bird cherry belongs to the plum family. The bush is used to strengthen crumbling slopes. The bark of the bush contains coumarin, an aromatic substance that is used in perfumery. Small white inflorescences cover the entire bush during flowering, emitting a pleasant aroma... The fruits are small, black.

Squamous

It took root well in middle and northern latitudes. Differs in abundant flowering. Dark brown fruits have a sweet-sour and tart taste. High yield and early ripening period, winter hardiness make the tree suitable for growing in cold climates. Tree up to 5 meters gives up 15 Kg berries.

Self-fertile and Sakhalin (Siberian cherries)

Early maturing varieties, the berry ripens in July, bred by Siberian breeders. They tolerate frost perfectly. Give a consistently good harvest up to 20-22 kg... Disease resistant. Spring frosts are easily tolerated. Trees with a powerful crown up to 8 meters, bloom with large white inflorescences. The varieties differ in the taste of berries.

Fine-sawed Amanogova (sakura)

The most beautiful flowering is the Amanogov sakura. Bird cherry belongs to the genus plums, according to the species characteristic to cherry... Therefore, the famous Japanese sakura is also a bird cherry. Small sawed Amonogova decorative dome-shaped tree. Double flowers of white-pink color cover the whole tree. The unusually beautiful bloom and delicate aroma made sakura famous as one of the wonders created by nature.

Ssiori (Far Eastern, Ainu)

A beautiful powerful tree, reaching from 10 to 20 meters in height. Distribution area Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. When the inflorescences bloom, they are painted in red-purple color, later they turn white. Inflorescence length up to 15 centimeters, with a beautiful bell-shaped flower and the most delicate aroma... Large berries up to 12 mm.

The healing properties of the tree

Healers in ancient times knew about the healing properties of the plant, which are contained in the bark, leaves and berries.

Therefore, they were actively used for treatment:

• phytoncides, which are contained in the bark of the tree, were used in the form of decoctions or tinctures. The bark was removed in thin strips in the spring. Used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-febrile and diaphoretic. Tinctures are good for rheumatism.

• with lung diseases a decoction of leaves and flowers is useful. Infusion of flowers treats the mucous membranes of the eyes. The bark is used to treat rheumatism;

• fruits are a storehouse of vitamins and useful elements... Vitamins P, the so-called flavonoids, strengthen the walls of blood vessels.Amygdalin (B17, most of all in the bones) is used as an anticancer and anticancer agent. Sugars, citric, ascorbic, malic acids, essential and fatty oils (in seeds), mineral elements, including molybdenum and titanium, are found in fruits. Therefore, they are used as a restorative remedy for many diseases of the stomach, colds. The tannins and astringents of fruits are used to combat diarrhea;

It is thanks to these properties that bird cherry has found application in medicine and home cooking.

Cooking use

Bird cherry is widely used in cooking. In terms of taste, the berries are inferior to their congeners - cherries, cherries and plums. due to a slightly astringent taste and sourness, but they are good for the body and fragrant.

Dried berries are ground into flour... Used as an additive to bakery products. The baked goods acquire a subtle delicate aroma.

Use:

• a cake is made from bird cherry flour;
• make delicious bird cherry kvass;
• tinctures, liqueurs are made on its basis;
• fresh berries are a great filling for pies;
• make jelly, fruit drinks, syrups;
• young leaves can be used for salads;
• brew tea;
• make jam.

Bird cherry is especially valuable for the northern regions.where berries that can be grown in temperate latitudes cannot ripen.

Bird cherry is widespread throughout our country. She pleases with flowering and delicate aroma. Used in medicine and cooking... Gardeners are planting new varieties. Ornamental tree species are used in landscape gardening. Poets and writers wrote about bird cherry with warmth and love.