Are Cherry Trees Good for Wildlife?

A Greenfinch perches gracefully on a cherry tree branch, surrounded by delicate pink blossoms.

While ornamental cherry trees (Prunus) are best known for their extravagant spring displays, they can also offer value to UK wildlife — but not all varieties are created equal. If you're aiming to support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects in your garden, it’s worth digging into the details.

---

The Pollinator Puzzle

The main source of wildlife benefit in ornamental cherries comes from their flowers. However, flower form matters:

• Single-flowered cherry trees (with five petals) are rich in accessible nectar and pollen — a vital early-season food source for bees and hoverflies.

• Double-flowered varieties are showstoppers, but often sterile or so densely petalled that insects can’t reach the nectar.

💡 Good for wildlife:

• Prunus incisa ‘The Bride’

• Prunus ‘Hally Jolivette’

• Prunus ‘Shirotae’

• Prunus ‘Snow Goose’

❌ Not so good:

• Prunus ‘Kanzan’

• Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’

• Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’

👉 For a deeper dive into pollinator-friendly trees, Buglife’s Gardening for Bugs guide is an excellent resource.

---

Habitat Value Beyond Blossom

While Prunus trees don’t provide the same depth of habitat as native oaks or hawthorns, some species (like Prunus padus, the bird cherry) are part of native British woodland ecosystems and support a wider range of life, including:

• Birds that feed on fruit (in fruiting species)

• Moths that use Prunus as a larval food plant

• Hoverflies and bees on open blossoms

  
  

The Royal Horticultural Society also highlights ornamental cherries as part of their Plants for Pollinators list — especially the simpler-flowered forms.

---

Autumn Benefits

After the spring show, many cherry trees offer a secondary benefit: autumn colour. While this isn’t directly helpful to wildlife, it extends your tree’s garden value and supports seasonal interest.

Bonus picks with great autumn colour:

• Prunus ‘Kanzan’ – bronze-orange tones

• Prunus ‘Shogetsu’ – fiery red foliage

• Prunus ‘The Bride’ – light yellow tones

---

How to Maximise Wildlife Value

• Choose varieties with single or semi-double flowers

• Avoid heavily modified ornamental types if pollinator value is key

• Plant in mixed borders with other pollinator plants like lavender, pulmonaria, or alliums

• Add native hedging or flowering shrubs nearby to balance aesthetics with ecological support

---

FAQ

Are cherry trees native to the UK?

Only a few, such as Prunus padus (bird cherry) and Prunus avium (wild cherry), are native. Most ornamental varieties are bred from Japanese and hybrid cultivars.

Do cherry trees produce fruit for birds?

Some do, especially wild and bird cherry species. Many ornamental varieties have been bred for blossom and do not produce viable fruit.

Are cherry trees good for bees?

Yes — especially single-flowered types. Bees love varieties like The Bride and Hally Jolivette, which bloom early in the season when food is scarce.

Do ornamental cherry trees support caterpillars or moths?

Wild and native Prunus species support various moth larvae. Ornamental types offer less value but can still contribute, especially if planted in mixed wildlife-friendly schemes.

What’s the best cherry tree for both beauty and biodiversity?

Try Prunus incisa ‘The Bride’ or Hally Jolivette — they’re early-flowering, loved by pollinators, and compact enough for small gardens.

Related Reading:

• Top 10 Ornamental Cherry Trees for UK Gardens →

• Best Cherry Trees for Autumn Colour →

• How to Plant a Cherry Tree in the UK →

• Crabapple vs Ornamental Cherry: Which is Better for Wildlife? →

🛒 Browse Flowering Cherry Trees at Bowhayes → All trees listed are pot-grown and available for UK-wide delivery.