There is a stand of short trees that I walk by every day on the U of I campus. Recently I noticed that these trees are covered in small, oblong pitted fruits that are just turning from yellow to bright red. I looked around online, and they look very much like photos of Cornelian Cherry. Are there any other fruit tree look-alikes (especially poisonous ones) that it could be? I would love to taste them, but not unless I am sure! What's the best way to know?

Hi Because I am not on campus I am not sure which trees you might be referring to but if you want to take a sample to the Horticulture Department located in the Plant Science Building and talk to either Jim Schmidt or Gary Kling there would be able to tell you for sure what yo hve.