15 CHERRY TREE SEEDS - St Lucie Cherry (Prunus Mahaleb) | GREEK SPICE
Other Names: Rock Cherry, Perfumed Cherry, Ghandi Cherry, English Cherry, Cerezo de Santa Luca, Mahalab, Mahleb, Mahaleb, Mahlep, Mahlepi or Mahalep
Grow Zones: 5,6,7,8

Commonly used as a rootstock tree for other cherry variety branches to be grafted onto. The reason for this is because it is strong-growing, vigorous and very disease-resistant. Additionally, it is one of the few cherry trees that can withstand a frost. Other than that, the St. Lucie Cherry tree is cherished for its seed (which is used as a spice) and for the medicinal/edible benefits that come from it's fruit seed. To that end, the beautiful wood is used for ornamental pipe making and other wood items that are polished.

English cherry tree seeds are ground into a powder and boast a sophisticated flavor that is a combination of cherry, almond and a hint of vanilla. Some call it the "better than nutmeg" substitute. The spice is used in Greek food often! It makes for a lovely cookie recipe additive. The powder can be added to smoothies, yogurts and designer ice cream bars.

More About the St Lucie Cherry Trees:

Showy white flowers appear in April through May. Flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. Prunus Mahleb also grows in most any soil type as long as there is proper drainage.

The trees can grow to be 40 ft tall. Also growing 40 ft wide (grows outward and wider than most cherry trees). This makes a row of Mahaleb trees function like a hedge! 

Germination procedure: Scarify seeds by soaking in water overnight Plant in fall for overwintering or else cold stratify the seeds in the freezer to simulate winter conditions for 3 months before planting. Sow seeds 1/4 an inch deep. Keep seeds and soil moist until germinated.