I have a cherry tree with dark red leaves, the dark red smooth bark and it bloomed flowers. Now I have cherries on it. How do I know if they are edible or could my tree be ornamental only. It is about 10 feet tall.
Can you post a photo? If it really is a cherry, the fruit will be edible; it might be bitter or sour (in which case it can be used for cherry pie or jam), or it might be sweet, but it won't be poisonous. So just try some.
Most kinds of rose family trees with purple leaves are purpleleaf plums. Bird cherry (Prunus padus) and chokecherry (P. virginiana) are also represented in general cultivation by purple-leaved cultivars. These produce flowers in spike-like clusters, after the leaves come out. Their fruits are not much good for eating.
