bird cherry

any of several species of cherry, especially Prunus padus (European bird cherry), of Europe and Asia, and P. pensylvanica (pin cherry), of the U.S.

the fruit of any such tree, for which birds have a particular liking.

Origin of bird cherry

First recorded in 1590–1600

We cut down a lot of brier bushes, willows, and poplars,—then came the turn of a bird-cherry.

Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales |Leo Tolstoy
I had entirely forgotten the bird-cherry, and was thinking only of felling it as quickly as possible.

Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales |Leo Tolstoy
Only then did I understand how the first bird-cherry had grown out on the road.

Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales |Leo Tolstoy
The mountain-ash and the bird-cherry were in bloom; the light, sticky leaves of the aspen were just out.

From a Swedish Homestead |Selma Lagerlf

The Bird-cherry (Prunus padus) grows into a tree of the largest size.

Wood and Garden |Gertrude Jekyll

bird cherry

a small Eurasian rosaceous tree, Prunus padus, with clusters of white flowers and small black fruits See also cherry (def. 1)