The Sour Cherry tree, belonging to the rose family, has a long history of human use. These trees are closely related to sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium), differing mainly in the flavor of their fruits. Sour cherries are known for their tartness, while sweet cherries offer a delectable, tangy sweetness.
Prunus cerasus, a small tree reaching about 30 feet (9 m) in height, features white flowers in spring and yields small, dark red drupes in summer, often used for tart cherry pies. Its dark gray bark and ovate leaves with serrated edges turn yellow in autumn. The tree produces fragrant, clustered light pink or white flowers early in spring, preceding foliage, its main identification features after fruits. The cherries themselves are small, thin-skinned, and acidic, coming in both deep red (Morello) and yellow-fleshed (Amarello) varieties, packed with antioxidants and ripe for harvest in early June.
