Escarpment Black Cherry
Prunus serotina var. eximia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Escarpment Black Cherry is a deciduous tree that blooms from March through May and grows well in full sun with low water needs, suited to rocky, well-drained hill country sites.
Escarpment Black Cherry is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Escarpment Black Cherry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
480"–600" H × 360"–480" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
TX
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, moths, nectar insects
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Escarpment Black Cherry is a large native Texas tree that produces clusters of white flowers in spring followed by dark berries. This deciduous tree provides excellent shade and adapts well to drought conditions once established.
Growing Escarpment Black Cherry
Grow Escarpment Black Cherry in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 480 to 600 inches tall and spread 360 to 480 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Escarpment Black Cherry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The spring blooms attract bees, butterflies, moths, and other nectar-seeking insects. Birds enjoy the dark cherries, and the tree serves as a host plant for various butterfly species.
Common questions
- When does Escarpment Black Cherry bloom?
- It typically flowers from March through May, producing small white blossoms in elongated clusters along the branches.
- How much water does Escarpment Black Cherry need?
- Once established, it tolerates low water conditions and performs well on dry, well-drained, rocky soils. It can also handle occasional periods of moderate moisture.
- What light conditions does Escarpment Black Cherry prefer?
- This tree grows best in full sun but can adapt to part sun or part shade, especially where some afternoon relief reduces heat stress.
- What pollinators are attracted to Escarpment Black Cherry?
- Its spring flowers draw bees, butterflies, and moths, and the blooms serve as a nectar source for various other nectar-feeding insects.
- Does Escarpment Black Cherry keep its leaves year round?
- No, it is deciduous, shedding its leaves in fall and producing new foliage each spring.
- Is Escarpment Black Cherry toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Escarpment Black Cherry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Escarpment Black Cherry toxic to cats?
- Yes. Escarpment Black Cherry is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Escarpment Black Cherry toxic to livestock?
- Escarpment Black Cherry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- Is Escarpment Black Cherry HOA-friendly?
- Escarpment Black Cherry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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