Cherry

The ancestors of most of the modern cultivated varieties of cherry are probably the sweet, or dessert, cherry and the sour, or pie, cherry. The former plant attains a height of up to 15 m (up to 50 ft) and has drooping leaves and peduncles, with small austere fruit. The latter has erect, smooth, shining leaves and a more juicy fruit, but is a much smaller tree. Both trees have white flowers in clusters or nearly sessile umbels. The sweet cherry tree is frequently planted for its fruit and for its beauty when in flower, and also for its value as a timber tree. It grows rapidly and has strong, close-grained wood, suitable for use by cabinetmakers, turners, and musical-instrument makers. Double varieties of both species are also grown.