The astringent fruit of this tree, known as Hagberry in Scotland, is soon picked by birds, hence its common name. Nomenclature here is unhelpful: the epithet padus refers to the River Po (where it was first described by Theophrastus), while Wild Cherry's avium refers to birds. Found in damp, shady woodlands and carrs, and on stream banks, spreading by seed or suckering.

A very extensive natural range across Europe into Asia, and native to Britain and Ireland. It is less common in Éire and south-west England than elsewhere, and more often found growing naturally rather than planted in northern Britain and Ireland.

Monoecious, with hermaphrodite flowers, self-compatible. Insect-pollinated. Dispersed by birds and mammals in their droppings.

Small to medium (10-16m), gauntly and steeply branched. Bark grey, finely rough, with an acrid smell. Twigs grey with white lenticels and sharp alternate buds. Leaves oval or obovate, 7-12cm, dark green and glabrous above, hairless beneath except vein-axil tufts, finely sharp-serrate, with a pair of basal glands. Flowers white in stiff, often upright racemes in late spring, almond-scented. Fruit a glossy black pea-sized drupe (6-8mm) in racemes. Wild Cherry differs: redder peeling lenticelled bark, loose flower clusters, larger red fruit.

Very hardy, growing in many different soils, including wet flushes and fens, yet rarely planted, especially in gardens.

Its flowers attract pollinating insects and, despite toxins, are eaten by some 28 invertebrate species, including the Bird-cherry Ermine Moth (Yponomeuta evonymella). The basal glands are extrafloral nectaries, releasing sweet liquid to attract ants, especially when caterpillars feed, which the ants then dispatch. Birds, especially finches and thrushes, strip trees clean, and mammals enjoy the fallen fruit.

Vulnerable to bacterial canker and silver leaf disease. Prone to honey fungus.

A species deserving wider use in woodland creation to add diversity and beauty. The bitter fruits are palatable cooked (and popular in eastern Europe), but the crushed seeds, leaves and bark are poisonous to humans and dogs, releasing hydrogen cyanide (hence the almond smell). Its timber lacks the qualities that make Wild Cherry so sought after.