Differences Between Chokecherries and Buckthorn ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Characteristic Buckthorn Chokecherry ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaf and bud Opposite, or Alternate arrangement nearly so ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fruit arrangement Individually on As a group on a green stalk woody twig ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaf retention Green late into fall Drop at normal times ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaf margin Coarsely toothed Finely toothed ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fruit retention Late into fall Late summer, early fall ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaf veins Parallel to leaf Angles only slightly from margin central vein ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twig end Modified spine, Bud usually ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------