1 cultivation , uses
1.1 fruit
1.2 ornamental
1.3 timber
1.4 other uses
cultivation , uses
fruit
pair of fruit growing same stem
some eighteenth- , nineteenth-century botanical authors assumed western asia origin species based on writings of pliny; however, archaeological finds of seeds prehistoric europe contradict view. wild cherries have been item of human food several thousands of years. stones have been found in deposits @ bronze age settlements throughout europe, including in britain. in 1 dated example, wild cherry macrofossils found in core sample detritus beneath dwelling @ , middle bronze age pile-dwelling site on , in shore of former lake @ desenzano del garda or lonato, near southern shore of lake garda, italy. date estimated @ bronze age ia, carbon dated there 2077 bce plus or minus 10 years. natural forest largely cleared @ time.
by 800 bce, cherries being actively cultivated in asia minor, , after in greece.
as main ancestor of cultivated cherry, sweet cherry 1 of 2 cherry species supply of world s commercial cultivars of edible cherry (the other sour cherry prunus cerasus, used cooking; few other species have had small input). various cherry cultivars grown worldwide wherever climate suitable; number of cultivars large. species has escaped cultivation , become naturalised in temperate regions, including southwestern canada, japan, new zealand, , northeast , northwest of united states.
ornamental
it cultivated flowering tree. because of size of tree, used in parkland, , less street or garden tree. double-flowered form, plena , commonly found, rather wild single-flowered forms.
two interspecific hybrids, p. x schmittii (p. avium x p. canescens) , p. x fontenesiana (p. avium x p. mahaleb) grown ornamental trees.
timber
the hard, reddish-brown wood (cherry wood) valued hardwood woodturning, , making cabinets , musical instruments. cherry wood used smoking foods, particularly meats, in north america, lends distinct , pleasant flavor product.
other uses
the gum bark wounds aromatic , can chewed substitute chewing gum.
medicine can prepared stalks (peduncles) of drupes astringent, antitussive, , diuretic.
a green dye can prepared plant.
wild cherry used extensively in europe afforestation of agricultural land , valued wildlife , amenity plantings. many european countries have gene conservation and/or breeding programmes wild cherry.
Comments
Post a Comment