Native to Europe and western Asia, the deciduous Wild Cherry may grow to heights of 80 feet or more when fully grown. It is the species from which most sweet cherry cultivars are derived. The Wild Cherry tree also possesses dense elongated clusters of small white flowers that bloom in the spring. The fruit are 1-2 cm in diameter, variably sweet to somewhat astringent and bitter to eat fresh. Pheasants, quail, and a hundred other birds eat these cherries and scatter their seeds. It prefers well drained soils and full sunlight and is tolerant to wind and salt.