Crop Matrix Tool
Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.
Chokeberry (black chokeberry) |
General |
Common Name | Chokeberry (black chokeberry) |
Latin Name | Aronia melanocarpa; (Photinia melanocarpa (Michx.) Robertson Phipps) |
Category | Fruits |
Family | |
Variety | ery trade, Shannon and Indian have biggest fruit |
Visual Traits |
Flower | small, white; perfect, spring |
Foliage/Fall leaf color | red |
Fruit | red, ripening to purplish-black pome; fall |
Height | 3-6 ft |
Cultivation |
Field spacing / planting depth | 4-6' (10' to max fruit production) |
Propagation method | seed, cuttings, bare root, container, layering |
Pruning | thin older stems infrequently |
Seed harvest | fall, clean from fruit pulp |
Seed treatment and storage | cold stratification 3months |
Sowing seed | September |
Transplant | transplants well; bare root in spring; container from spring to mid-summer |
Watering guidelines | water during establishment |
Critters |
Pathogens | mildew if poor air circulation |
Wildlife Pests | deer, rabbits |
Soils |
Fertility / quality | medium fertility |
Moisture and drainage | wet to moist, well-drained; drought intolerant |
pH | 4.0-7.0 |
Soils and topography | wetland sites |
Texture | coarse, medium, fine |
Growth Pattern |
Growth rate | moderate |
Longevity | short |
Root habit | finely fibrous |
Habitat and Climate |
Fire tolerance | moderately tolerant |
Frost-free days (FFD) | 167 |
Hardiness Zone | 3-8 (9) |
Native Range | Great Lakes, Northeastern US, moist woods to dry thickets, cliffs |
Rainfall / humidity | 15-33" |
Light |
Light recommendation | full sun |
Shade tolerance | moderately tolerant |
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