As I walk around my neighborhood in winter, I can't help but notice the Cherry Laurel. It is one of the more interesting winter trees, popular for its evergreen foliage and bird-attracting fruit. Two of the more common varieties are Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus caroliniana.
Many cherry laurels were planted as shrubs but people soon realized that they made good trees. Their glossy, dark-green oblong leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. Tiny cream-colored flowers form in tail-like clusters in spring and dark purple fruit follows in summer and fall. They are self-seeders and grow from 15 to 20 feet tall.
Two notes of caution: since its leaves are somewhat large and its foliage is dense, the Cherry Laurel can be susceptible to damage from freezing rain. And its leave and berries can be poisonous if ingested by humans.
Cherry Laurels are readily available at area nurseries.
Sherri Watts, Smith County Master Gardener
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