Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.)

Cornelian cherry is still not a popular fruit, although many people have heard about it as perfect material for home-made liquors. Its natural range of occurrence does not cover Poland, although it grows well and bears fruit in our conditions, reaching old age. It is a perfect tree for large commercial plantations due to annual yields that are increasingly abundant with age, and high immunity to diseases (lack of accumulated pathogens). Moreover, it responds well to training and pruning. In the case of long-term intensive cultivation, the available cultivars bear fruit from mid-July to October, resulting in the supply of fresh fruit over a period of more than three months. This publication offers a collection of knowledge and own experiences aiming at familiarising a possibly large group of readers with this incredible plant, and facilitating its cultivation in both amateur and commercial plantations. Iwona Szot, an associate professor, works at the Institute of Horticulture Production of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Specializes in improving the production technology of less popular fruit species such as cornelian cherry, haskap berry and goji berry.