Cherry trees with red leaves, any ideas

[TonyF]

We've got a tree in the garden which we've always assumed is ornamental. However, this year it's full of fruits, all look like cherries with cherry like stones in the middle.

I've tasted one and they taste like a cross between cherries and tiny plums. They're the same as cherries inside so I'm working on the basis that if it looks like, tastes like and feels like a cherry it probably is.

Bark is cherry like also but I've never seen one with red leaves.

Any ideas?

[shirlthegirl43]

Is it one of these?

Chokecherry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[indigox]

Ooh, it sounds like the same one we have overhanging our drive. It has deep burgundy leaves. I just noticed today it has a lot of fruit, never seen them in previous years.
I briefly considered tasting it, but got distracted -you're one step ahead of me Tony!

[TonyF]

Is it one of these?

Chokecherry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

By George, she's got it! Ta Shirl and it's not astringent at all so I think we'll be picking and soaking the fruit in kirsch for Xmas!

[shirlthegirl43]

By George, she's got it! Ta Shirl and it's not astringent at all so I think we'll be picking and soaking the fruit in kirsch for Xmas!

Ooh, yummy! We got one cherry on our tree this year - I think I will leave it for the birdies to fight over

[indigox]

By George, she's got it! Ta Shirl and it's not astringent at all so I think we'll be picking and soaking the fruit in kirsch for Xmas!

Oh, that's not the same as mine, our one is much deeper red in colour.

[TonyF]

So is mine but I think it's the same family.

[TonyF]

Aha, the plot thickens, it's NOT a chokeberry it's a cherry plum - the pics are an exact match!

Cherry plum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[indigox]

Hmm, that looks more like mine too!
I think mine is still a fair bit darker, but it is much closer to this one.

[indigox]

Thanks Tony!
I found this picture of Prunus cerasifera 'nigra'
I reckon that's exactly what I have. I'm going to go out now and pick some to make jam -yum!

http://bundlebit.freeflux.net/files/...5-dsc02625.jpg

[TonyF]

Saving mine until Tuesday, have chum's coming for lunch so it's clafoutis with fruit straight off the tree.

[indigox]

I tried one, they look great because of the colour, but they aren't ripe yet, still too sharp, but I'm keeping an eye on them.

Clafoutis, lovely. It's one of the easiest and best puddings ever in my opinion.

[danetteh]

Sounds like a purple-leaf sand cherry. I have one and it grows to about 7-10"high and the same in width. Leaves are very deep red-purple and though I can only see a few blooms, they look like a pale pink to me.