Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission Launches "Meet The Trees!" Campaign, Spotlighting Black Cherry For July

Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission Launches "Meet The Trees!" Campaign, Spotlighting Black Cherry For July

COON RAPIDS, MN – July 8, 2025 – The Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission is inviting residents to deepen their connection with the city's natural environment through its new "Meet the Trees!" program. This initiative aims to help community members get to know their "tree neighbors" by featuring a different native tree each month throughout the summer and fall. The program emphasizes the significant ecological benefits that native trees contribute to the diversity and health of the urban forest, including crucial support for local wildlife and pollinators.

For July, the spotlight is on the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). This distinctive native tree is easily recognized by its dark, scaly bark, which on mature trees often peels horizontally, resembling burnt potato chips. In spring, it produces showy, elongated clusters (racemes) of delicate white flowers. These blossoms are a vital early-season food source, providing nectar and pollen for dozens of native bees, flies, and other insect pollinators.

As the season progresses, the flowers give way to clusters of small, round, dark red to nearly black fruits, known as drupes. While somewhat tart for human consumption, these fruits are a critical food source for numerous bird species throughout late summer and fall, including thrushes, woodpeckers, and robins, helping to disperse the tree's seeds. Beyond its fruit, the leaves of the Black Cherry tree serve as a crucial food source for the caterpillars of various insects, most notably the striking Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, and many other moth species.

"Native trees are the backbone of a healthy urban ecosystem," explains a representative from the Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission. "They provide clean air, manage stormwater, and create essential habitats. Our 'Meet the Trees!' program is designed to educate residents about these invaluable natural assets and encourage an appreciation for the biodiversity right in our backyards."

The Black Cherry tree thrives in a variety of conditions but prefers forest edges and fertile, well-drained soil. In sunny, open areas, it can impressively grow up to 80 feet tall, developing a more spreading crown. However, it can also adapt to semi-shaded conditions, remaining a smaller understory tree within denser woodland settings. In the fall, its lustrous dark green leaves transform into vibrant shades of yellow or red, adding a beautiful display to the autumn landscape.

The City encourages residents to learn more about the Black Cherry tree and its ecological importance. Additional detailed information and scientific resources are available from experts at the University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), both credible sources for local forestry and ecological data.

This monthly feature is part of the Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission's ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness and stewardship within the community.

About the Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission: The Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable community through education, initiatives, and policy recommendations that promote environmental health, economic vitality, and social equity.

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