Wild Cherry, or Gean, is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree. The flowers are white and grow in loose clusters. The leaves are pointed, oval and stalked. The fruit is bitter, and a deep red colour.
The plant is one of Ireland's most handsome and ornamental native trees, with fine spreading branches and a shiny reddish brown bark. It grows, though not prolifically, on good soil in all counties of Ireland except for Longford and north-east Galway.
The flowers bloom in March and April.
Wild Cherry is found in most of Europe, in mountainous North Africa and in western Asia.