Prunus padus, bird cherry

Prunus avium, wild cherry, also called sweet cherry

The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium.

The name 'cherry', often as the compound term 'cherry tree', may also be applied to many other members of the genus Prunus, or to all members of the genus as a collective term. The fruits of many of these are not cherries, and have other common names, including plum, apricot, peach, and others. The name 'cherry' is also frequently used in reference to cherry blossom.

Botany[link]

Many cherry fruits are members of the subgenus Cerasus, which is distinguished by having the flowers in small corymbs of several together (not singly, nor in racemes), and by having a smooth fruit with only a weak groove or none along one side. The subgenus is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with two species in America, three in Europe, and the remainder in Asia.

Other cherry fruits are members of subgenus Padus.

The majority of eating cherries are derived from either Prunus avium, the wild cherry (sometimes called the sweet cherry), or from Prunus cerasus, the sour cherry.

Species[link]

The list below contains many Prunus species that bear the common name cherry, but they are not necessarily members of the subgenus Cerasus, or bear edible fruit. For a complete list of species, see Prunus. Some common names listed here have historically been used for more than one species, e.g. "rock cherry" is used as an alternative common name for both P. prostrata and P. mahaleb.

• Prunus apetala (Siebold & Zucc.) Franch. & Sav. - clove cherry
• Prunus avium (L.) L. - wild cherry, sweet cherry, mazzard or gean
• Prunus campanulata Maxim. - Taiwan cherry, Formosan cherry or bell-flowered cherry
• Prunus canescens Bois. - greyleaf cherry
• Prunus caroliniana Aiton - Carolina laurel cherry or laurel cherry
• Prunus cerasoides D. Don. - wild Himalayan cherry
• Prunus cerasus L. - sour cherry
• Prunus cistena Koehne - purpleleaf sand cherry
• Prunus cornuta (Wall. ex Royle) Steud. - Himalayan bird cherry
• Prunus cuthbertii Small - Cuthbert cherry
• Prunus cyclamina Koehne - cyclamen cherry or Chinese flowering cherry
• Prunus dawyckensis Sealy - Dawyck cherry
• Prunus dielsiana C.K. Schneid. - tailed-leaf cherry
• Prunus emarginata (Douglas ex Hook.) Walp. - Oregon cherry or bitter cherry
• Prunus eminens Beck - German: mittlere Weichsel (semisour cherry)
• Prunus fruticosa Pall. - European dwarf cherry, dwarf cherry, Mongolian cherry or steppe cherry
• Prunus gondouinii (Poit. & Turpin) Rehder - duke cherry
• Prunus grayana Maxim. - Japanese bird cherry or Gray's bird cherry
• Prunus humilis Bunge - Chinese plum-cherry or humble bush cherry
• Prunus ilicifolia (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) Walp. - hollyleaf cherry, evergreen cherry, holly-leaved cherry or islay
• Prunus incisa Thunb. - Fuji cherry
• Prunus jamasakura Siebold ex Koidz. - Japanese mountain cherry or Japanese hill cherry
• Prunus japonica Thunb. - Korean cherry
• Prunus laurocerasus L. - cherry laurel
• Prunus lyonii (Eastw.) Sarg. - Catalina Island cherry
• Prunus maackii Rupr. - Manchurian cherry or Amur chokecherry
• Prunus mahaleb L. - Saint Lucie cherry, rock cherry, perfumed cherry or mahaleb cherry
• Prunus maximowiczii Rupr. - Miyama cherry or Korean cherry
• Prunus mume (Siebold & Zucc.) - Chinese plum or Japanese apricot
• Prunus myrtifolia (L.) Urb. - West Indian cherry
• Prunus nepaulensis (Ser.) Steud. - Nepal bird cherry
• Prunus nipponica Matsum. - Takane cherry, peak cherry or Japanese alpine cherry
• Prunus occidentalis Sw. - western cherry laurel
• Prunus padus L. - bird cherry or European bird cherry
• Prunus pensylvanica L.f. - pin cherry, fire cherry, or wild red cherry
• Prunus pleuradenia Griseb. - Antilles cherry
• Prunus prostrata Labill. - mountain cherry, rock cherry, spreading cherry or prostrate cherry
• Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl. - Chinese sour cherry or false cherry
• Prunus pumila L. - sand cherry
• Prunus rufa Wall ex Hook.f. - Himalayan cherry
• Prunus salicifolia Kunth. - capulin, Singapore cherry or tropic cherry
• Prunus sargentii Rehder - Sargent's cherry or Ezo Mountain cherry
• Prunus serotina Ehrh. - black cherry
• Prunus serrula Franch. - paperbark cherry, birch bark cherry or Tibetan cherry
• Prunus serrulata Lindl. - Japanese cherry, hill cherry, Oriental cherry or East Asian cherry
• Prunus speciosa (Koidz.) Ingram - Oshima cherry
• Prunus ssiori Schmidt- Hokkaido bird cherry
• Prunus stipulacea Maxim.
• Prunus subhirtella Miq. - Higan cherry or spring cherry
• Prunus takesimensis Nakai - Takeshima flowering cherry
• Prunus tomentosa Thunb. - Nanking cherry, Manchu cherry, downy cherry, Shanghai cherry, Ando cherry, mountain cherry, Chinese dwarf cherry, Chinese bush cherry
• Prunus verecunda (Koidz.) Koehne - Korean mountain cherry
• Prunus virginiana L. - chokecherry
• Prunus x yedoensis Matsum. - Yoshino cherry or Tokyo cherry

History[link]

Etymology and antiquity[link]

The native range of the wild cherry extends through most of Europe, western Asia and parts of northern Africa, and the fruit has been consumed through its range since prehistoric times. A cultivated cherry is recorded as having been brought to Rome by Lucius Licinius Lucullus from northeastern Anatolia, modern day Turkey, also known as the Pontus region, in 72 BC.^[1]

A form of cherry was introduced into England at Teynham, near Sittingbourne in Kent by order of Henry VIII, who had tasted them in Flanders.^[2][3][4]

The English word cherry, French cerise and Spanish cereza all come from the classical Greek (κέρασος) through the Latin cerasum, thus the ancient Roman place name Cerasus, today a city in northern Turkey Giresun from which the cherry was first exported to Europe.^[5]

Nutritional value[link]

Cherries contain anthocyanins, the red pigment in berries. Cherry anthocyanins have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in rats.^[6] Anthocyanins are also potent antioxidants under active research for a variety of potential health benefits. According to a study funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting in San Diego, rats that received whole tart cherry powder mixed into a high-fat diet did not gain as much weight or build up as much body fat, and their blood showed much lower levels of inflammation indicators that have been linked to heart disease and diabetes. In addition, they had significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than the other rats.^[7]

Wildlife value[link]

Cherry trees also provide food for the caterpillars of several Lepidoptera. See List of Lepidoptera which feed on Prunus.

Cultivation[link]

The cultivated forms are of the species wild cherry (P. avium) to which most cherry cultivars belong, and the sour cherry (P. cerasus), which is used mainly for cooking. Both species originate in Europe and western Asia; they do not cross-pollinate. Some other species, although having edible fruit, are not grown extensively for consumption, except in northern regions where the two main species will not grow. Irrigation, spraying, labor and their propensity to damage from rain and hail make cherries relatively expensive. Nonetheless, there is high demand for the fruit. Cherry is harvested by using shaker in commercial production.^[8] Hand picking is also widely used to harvest the fruit to avoid damage.

Growing season[link]

Cherries have a very short growing season and can grow in most temperate latitudes. The peak season for cherries is in the summer. In Australia, they are usually at their peak in late December, in southern Europe in June, in North America in June, in south British Columbia (Canada) in July to mid August, and in the UK in mid July. In many parts of North America, they are among the first tree fruits to ripen.

In Orange, NSW - A cool climate cherry region, the season begins in mid November and finishes towards the end of January. Kordia is an early variety which ripens during the beginning of December, Lapins peak near the end of December, and Sweethearts appear slightly later.

Ornamental trees[link]

See cherry blossom and Prunus.

Commercial production[link]

Worldwide cherry yield

Annual world production (as of 2007) of cultivated cherry fruit is about two million tonnes. Around 40% of world production originates in Europe and around 13% in the United States.

Top Cherry Producing Nations - 2009 (in thousand metric tons)
Turkey	417.7
United States	390.7
Iran	225.0
Italy	116.2
Spain	96.4
Syria	78.3
Russia	69.0
Romania	67.9
Uzbekistan	67.0
Chile	56.0
France	53.6
Ukraine	53.0
Poland	50.5
Greece	48.0
Germany	39.5
Lebanon	34.7
Austria	30.3
Serbia	29.2
China	27.0
Japan	18.0
Bulgaria	17.4
Armenia	15.0
Canada	14.6
Australia	13.7
Kazakhstan	13.0
India	12.7
Portugal	11.2
Albania	10.9
Bosnia and Herzegovina	10.7
Switzerland	10.2
Moldova	9.0
Hungary	8.1
Morocco	7.4
Croatia	7.1
Azerbaijan	6.9
World Total	2,196.1
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations[9]

Eurasia[link]

Major commercial cherry orchards in Europe are in Turkey (mainly Anatolia), Italy and Spain. To a smaller extent is also grown in the Baltic States and southern Scandinavia.

North America[link]

In the United States, most sweet cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan.^[10] Important sweet cherry cultivars include Bing, Brooks, Tulare, King and Rainier. In addition, the Lambert variety is grown on the eastern side of Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana.^[11] Both Oregon and Michigan provide light-colored Royal Ann (Napoleon; alternately Queen Anne) cherries for the maraschino cherry process. Most sour (also called tart) cherries are grown in Michigan, followed by Utah, New York, and Washington.^[10] Additionally, native and nonnative cherries grow well in Canada (Ontario and British Columbia). Sour cherries include Nanking and Evans cherry. Traverse City, Michigan claims to be the "Cherry Capital of the World", hosting a National Cherry Festival and making the world's largest cherry pie. The specific region of northern Michigan is known for tart cherry production is referred to as the "Traverse Bay" region.

Australia[link]

In Australia, cherries are grown in all the states except for the Northern Territory. The major producing regions are located in the temperate areas within New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Western Australia has limited production in the elevated parts in southwest of the state. Key production areas include Young, Orange and Bathurst in New South Wales, Wandin, the Goulburn and Murray valley areas in Victoria, the Adelaide Hills region in South Australia, and the Huon and Derwent Valleys in Tasmania.

Key commercial varieties in order of seasonality include 'Empress', 'Merchant', 'Supreme', 'Ron's seedling', 'Chelan', 'Ulster', 'Van', 'Bing', 'Stella', 'Nordwunder', 'Lapins', 'Simone', 'Regina', 'Kordia' and 'Sweetheart'. New varieties are being introduced, including the late season 'Staccato' and early season 'Sequoia'. The Australian Cherry Breeding program is developing a series of new varieties which are under testing evaluation.^[12]

The New South Wales town of Young is called the "Cherry Capital of Australia" and hosts the National Cherry Festival.

Other information[link]

Dried cherry cultivars infused with raspberry concentrate are sold commercially under the name razzcherries.

See also[link]

• Cherry blossom
• Cherry pitter
• Dried cherry
• Griotte de Kleparow
• Marasca cherry

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cerasus

Look up cherry in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• "Cherry juice hailed as superfood", Daily Mail, 26 September 2008.
• Phenolic compounds in sweet and sour cherries—Cornell University study.
• Health Effects of Tart Cherries. (Jacob Schor, August 2, 2011)

v t e Cherry cultivars Sweet (Bigaroon, Mazzard) Angela Bing Chelan Chinook Emperor Francis Hudson Lambert Lapins Rainier Regina Royal Ann (Napoleon) Sam Schmidt Skeena Stella Sweetheart Tieton Ulster Van Sour (Amarelle, Morello) Balaton Evans Cherry Griotte de Kleparow Montmorency Other edible Nanking Ornamental Prunus sargentii

Jack Hylton
[[File: Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09722, Jack Hilton |frameless|alt=|]]
Background information
Birth name	John Greenhalgh Hilton
Also known as	Jack Elton
Born	(1892-07-02)2 July 1892, Great Lever, Bolton, Lancashire, England, U.K.
Died	29 January 1965(1965-01-29) (aged 72) Marylebone, London, England, U.K.
Occupations	Band leader, impresario
Years active	1917–1965

Jack Hylton (2 July 1892 – 29 January 1965) was an English band leader and impresario who rose to prominence during the British dance band era.

Early life and career[link]

He was born John Greenhalgh Hilton in the Great Lever area of Bolton, Lancashire, the son of George Hilton, a cotton yarn twister. His father was an amateur singer at the local Labour Club and Hylton learned piano to accompany him on the stage. Hylton later sang to the customers when his father bought a pub in nearby Little Lever, becoming known as the "Singing Mill-Boy". He also performed as a relief pianist for various bands.

His early career involved moving to London as a pianist in the 400 club and playing with the Stroud Haxton Band. During the First World War, he moved to be a musical director of the band of the 20th Hussars and the Director of the Army Entertainment Division.

The 1920s and 1930s[link]

After World War I Hylton played with the Queen's Dance Orchestra, wrote arrangements of popular songs and recorded them under the label 'Directed by Jack Hylton'. He then formed his own band, recording the new style of jazz-derived American dance music under the Jack Hylton name from 1923. Hylton became a respected band leader with a busy schedule. He became a director and major shareholder of the new Decca record label. His band developed into an orchestra and toured America and Europe into the 1940s, when it disbanded due to World War II. Hylton adopted Oh Listen To The Band as his signature tune.^[1]

The 1940s and 1950s[link]

At this point in his career he became an impresario discovering new stars and managing radio, film and theatre productions from Ballets to Circuses. His productions dominated the London theatres with such productions as The Merry Widow, Kiss Me, Kate and Kismet.

Contracted as Advisor of Light Entertainment to Associated-Rediffusion (A-R), winners of the London weekday franchise in the recently established ITV network, he founded Jack Hylton Television Productions Ltd in that same month to produce a range of light entertainment programming exclusively for that company.

The 1960s[link]

At the same time he was still producing stage shows, as well as taking a leading role in organising various Royal Command Performances, until his final stage production Camelot in 1965. He helped to develop the careers of many famous performers such as Shirley Bassey, Maurice Chevalier, Morecambe and Wise, Tony Hancock, Arthur Askey, the Crazy Gang, George Formby and Liberace.

In 1965 a televised tribute to Hylton, The Stars Shine for Jack, was held in London on Sunday 30 May at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane with many artists including Arthur Askey, The Crazy Gang, Marlene Dietrich, Dickie Henderson, and Shirley Bassey.

Personal life[link]

Hylton was married twice; firstly in 1922 to bandleader Ennis Parkes (they separated in 1929) and secondly, in Geneva in 1963, to Australian model and beauty queen Beverley Prowse (1932–2000).

He had a son, Jack (b.1947), by Pat Taylor, a singer and actress and two daughters, Frederika (b.1932) and Georgina (b.1938), by model Frederika Kogler ("Fifi").

Death[link]

On 26 January 1965, complaining of chest and stomach pains, Hylton was admitted to the London Clinic. He died there three days later, from a heart attack, aged 72.

Hylton's spending habits and generosity left his estate with £242,288 gross, despite the many millions that he earned during his career. With duty (taxes) of £83,484, this left £151,160 to be distributed among his heirs, with the first £30,000 reserved for his widow, Beverley. As Hylton said to his son during his latter years, "I won't leave you much, but we'll have a good laugh spending it while I'm here!"^[2]

External links[link]

• "Internet Archive Search: Jack Hylton - archive.org (multimedia content in the public domain)". http://archive.org/search.php?query=Jack%20Hylton. Retrieved 29 April 2012. 
• "British Pathé Search: Jack Hylton - britishpathe.com". http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/Jack+Hylton. Retrieved 2 May 2012. 
• Lancaster University Library – Jack Hylton Archive
• Jack Hylton biography and credits at the British Film Institute's Screenonline
• Jack Hylton Music Downloads
• YouTube: Jack Hylton plays "Say Yes" February 1931

References[link]