Editing Prunus (section)

== Cultivation ==
[[Image:Nectarine Fruit Development.jpg|thumb|The development sequence of a [[Peach#Nectarines|nectarine]] (''P.&nbsp;persica'') over a 7.5-month period, from bud formation in early winter to fruit ripening in midsummer]]

The genus ''Prunus'' includes the [[almond]], the nectarine and [[peach]], several species of [[apricot]]s, [[cherries]], and [[plum]]s, all of which have [[cultivar]]s developed for commercial [[fruit]] and nut production. The almond is not a true [[Nut (fruit)|nut]]; the edible part is the seed. Other species are occasionally cultivated or used for their seed and fruit.

A number of species, [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]], and cultivars are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s, usually for their profusion of flowers, sometimes for ornamental foliage and shape, and occasionally for their [[Bark (botany)|bark]].

Because of their considerable value as both food and ornamental plants, many ''Prunus'' species have been [[introduced species|introduced]] to parts of the world to which they are not native, some becoming naturalised.

The [[Tree of 40 Fruit]] has 40 varieties grafted on to one rootstock.<ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/08/03/337164041/the-gift-of-graft-new-york-artists-tree-to-grow-40-kinds-of-fruit|title=The Gift of Graft: New York Artist's Tree To Grow 40 Kinds of Fruit|date=3 August 2014|work=[[NPR]]|access-date=3 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="ScienceAlert">{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencealert.com/news/20142107-25892.html|title=This tree produces 40 different types of fruit|date=21 July 2014|work=ScienceAlert|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108042635/http://www.sciencealert.com/news/20142107-25892.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Species such as blackthorn (''[[Prunus spinosa]]''), are grown for hedging, game cover, and other utilitarian purposes.

The wood of some species (notably [[Prunus serotina|black cherry]]) is prized as a [[furniture]] and [[cabinetry]] [[timber]], especially in North America.

Many species produce an aromatic gum from wounds in the trunk; this is sometimes used medicinally. Other minor uses include dye production.

[[Pygeum (herbal remedy)|Pygeum]], a herbal remedy containing extracts from the bark of ''[[Prunus africana]]'', is used as to alleviate some of the discomfort caused by inflammation in patients with [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]].

''Prunus'' species are food plants for the larvae of many [[Lepidoptera]] species (butterflies and moths).

''Prunus'' species are included in the [[Tasmania]]n Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chladil |last2=Sheridan |first1=Mark |first2=Jennifer |title=Fire retardant garden plants for the urban fringe and rural areas |url=http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/publications/1709%20Brochure.pdf |website=www.fire.tas.gov.au |date=2006 |access-date=5 December 2017}}</ref>

===Ornamental ''Prunus''===
{{See also|List of Award of Garden Merit flowering cherries}}
Ornamentals include the group that may be collectively called "[[Cherry blossom|flowering cherries]]" (including ''sakura'', the Japanese flowering cherries).