"The Birds Cherry-tree, or the blacke Cherry-tree, that bringeth
forth very much fruit upon one branch (which better may be
understood by sight of the figure, than by words) springeth up
like an Hedge tree of small stature, it groweth in the wilde woods
of Kent, and are there used for stockes to graft other Cherries
upon, of better tast, and more profit, as especially those called
the Flanders Cherries: this wilde tree growes very plentifully
in the North of England, especially at a place called Heggdale,
neere unto Rosgill in Westmerland, and in divers other places
about Crosbie Ravenswaith, and there called Hegberrie-tree: it
groweth likewise in Martome Parke, foure miles from Blackeburne,
and in Harward neere thereunto; in Lancashire almost in every
hedge; the leaves and branches differ not from those of the
wilde Cherry-tree: the floures grow alongst the small branches,
consisting of five small white leaves, with some greenish and
yellow thrums in the middle: after which come the fruit, greene at
the first, blacke when they be ripe, and of the bignesse of Sloes;
of an harsh and unpleasant taste.
"The other birds Cherry-tree differeth not from the former in any
respect, but in the colour of the berries; for as they are blacke;
so on the contrary, these are red when they be ripe, wherein they
differ."
The cherries described in these two paragraphs, one black and one red,
"that bringeth forth very much fruit upon one branch" and "groweth in
the wilde woods" and "of an harsh and unpleasant taste" are of course
the _Prunus padus_ of Britain and most of Europe--not a true cherry but
the racemose Bird Cherry, or Choke Cherry.
"The common blacke Cherry-tree growes up in some places to
great stature: there is no difference between it and our common
Cherry-tree, saving that the fruit hereof is very little in
respect of other Cherries, and of a blacke colour."
This must be some wild Gean or Mazzard.
"The dwarfe Cherry-tree groweth very seldome to the height of
three cubits: the trunke or body small, covered with a darke
coloured blacke: whereupon do grow very limber and pliant twiggie
branches: the leaves are very small, not much unlike to those of
the Privite bush: the floures are small and white: after which
come Cherries of a deepe red colour when they be ripe, of taste
somewhat sharpe, but not greatly unpleasant: the branches laid
downe in the earth, quickely take root, whereby it is greatly
increased."
Here we have _Prunus fruticosa_ very well described.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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