Black Cherry – Prunus serotina | Cough Remedy Tree & Louisiana Wildlife Anchor

The Cough Tree of the Cajun Tradition

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is one of the most important medicinal trees in the Traiteur tradition — its inner bark was the original source of wild cherry cough syrup, brewed as a tea or syrup to soothe coughs, bronchitis, and respiratory irritation. It’s also one of the most ecologically valuable trees in the Eastern United States, supporting over 400 species of caterpillars and moths, making it an anchor plant for any wildlife garden. Long clusters of white spring flowers give way to dark, tart cherries that feed birds through summer.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Evergreen: No
• Maintenance: Low

Deep medicine, deep roots, deep wildlife value. Black Cherry is the anchor tree of the Cajun healing garden.