Sweet cherry
Botanical Name
Prunus avium
Family
Rosaceae (rose)
Also known as
Mazzard
What does it look like?
Deciduous, spreading, suckering tree (<5-12m tall) with tall trunk. Thin, oval leaves (30-150 x 25-70 mm) with toothed edges are hairless above, and undersides are hairy when leaves are young, becoming hairless as they mature. White, occasionally double, flowers (11-19 x 8-17 mm) aren't fragrant, and are in clusters of 2-4 (Sept-Nov). Cherry fruit (8-17 mm diam, 30 mm in cultivation) develops Nov-Feb, is dark red, usually sweet but can be bitter.
Are there any similar species?
Other cherry (Prunus) species, especially P. campanulata, P. serrulata, P. laurocerasus, P. lusitanica
Why is it weedy?
Tolerant of cold, low rainfall, mod shade. Suckers, long-lived, forms dense stands, tall. Seeds long-lived, widely dispersed.
How does it spread?
Birds carry seed medium distances, and suckers locally. Soil movement.
What damage does it do?
Impacts on native plants. Forms dense stands in open and disturbed habitats, prevents native plant germination and growth.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Disturbed forest and shrubland.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Pull (all year round): pull out seedlings and small plants (not sucker shoots). Mulch.
2. Cut and stump treat (all year round): paint freshly cut stump with metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L). Mulch cut branches and leaves.
3. Cut and inject (all year round): cut a notch in the trunk on a downward angle and inject with 2 ml metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (20g/L) or 10ml of a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (undiluted).
4. Drill and inject (all year round): drill holes around trunk at 5cm intervals and inject with 2 ml metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (20g/L) or 10 ml of a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (undiluted) .
5. Ringbark and inject (all year round): cut a complete ring around the trunk on a downward angle and inject with metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (20g/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L).
6. Overall spray (summer): metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (6ml/L).
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Large suckers best treated via stump swab, small via spraying. Follow up monthly until all gone.
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