Population Biology of an Invading Tree Species — Prunus serotina

Abstract

The Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a North American forest tree, has successfully spread in Central Europe. By establishing dense shrub layers in previously sparse forests, it may outcompete native plant species and become a problem for nature conservation.

Demographic studies were performed in its native range NW-Pennsylvania, and in Berlin, and the data were analyzed by means of multivariate methods. In both areas, the distribution in space and time of size classes suggests a “Oskar-behaviour” of Prunus serotina: the smaller trees can survive with limited height growth in the shade of the conspecific mother trees. This property is, together with other population biological characteristics, an important prerequisite for a successful colonization of new biotopes and the establishment of the species in Central Europe.

The development of a Black Cherry population in both study areas follows various phases. Without disturbance, few large Black Cherry trees prevail and little regeneration. This trend can be seen from demographic analyses both in Berlin and Pennsylvania despite their very different vegetation types. From this it is concluded that Prunus serotina will continue to grow in Berlin. The density, however, will be lower than now.