In spring and autumn it can be difficult to distinguish bird cherry from other deciduous trees and especially sweet cherries. In addition to the striated and blackish bark, the leaves can give a clear indication of bird cherry.
What does the bird cherry leaf look like and what colors does it have throughout the year?
The bird cherry leaf is 3-15 cm long, 2-7 cm wide, obovate to elliptical, coarsely and irregularly serrated at the edge. It shows a juicy green color when it shoots and a lime green color in summer, while in autumn it takes on bright tones from yellow to fire red.
Your basic shape
The bird cherry foliage sits in an alternating sequence on the branches. It is located screw-shaped on the shoot and usually appears together with the flowers around the beginning/mid of May.
After the leaves emerge from their folded bud position, their simple shape becomes apparent. They are divided into petioles and leaf blades. They adhere to a 2 to 7 cm long, hairless stem. This has two reddish nectar glands at its upper end. These glands serve to attract ants, which eat annoying caterpillars on the leaves.
Furthermore, the leaves of the bird cherry are:
- smaller than that of the sweet cherry
- 3 to 15 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide
- obovate to elliptical
- long pointed
- coarsely, double and irregularly sawn on the edge (teeth pointing forward)
- thin and flabby
- wedge-shaped to roundish at the base
Your color(s) throughout the year
The appearance of the leaves of the bird cherry changes throughout the year. When budding, the main leaves and stipules, which are on average 1 cm long, are bathed in a juicy green and are very shiny.
Towards summer the leaves turn a lime green color. The underside of the leaves is lighter in color. It looks pale green. It is also covered by gentle hairs on the leaf nerves. On the other hand, the upper side is bare, shiny and slightly wrinkled.
In autumn the face of the leaves undergoes another change. Then it takes on bright colors between yellow, orange and fiery red. After shedding in October, the leaves decompose quickly.
Tips & Tricks
Just like the fruits and flowers, the leaves are also non-toxic and edible. They have a delicate cherry aroma. They are tastiest when freshly sprouted.
