Prunus pensylvanica aka Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica, or pin cherry, is a small deciduous tree. Other names include fire cherry and bird cherry. It grows across much of Canada and the United States. Its range reaches Georgia along the Appalachian Mountains. It lives in clearings, woodland edges, and disturbed ground. Seeds can lie dormant for years before fire triggers growth. Young trees help restore woodland after burns.

The tree grows fast and often has a narrow form. It can also grow as a shrub with several stems. Trees reach about 30 feet [9.1 metres], sometimes more. Most live for only 20 to 40 years. Roots grow near the soil surface. The bark ranges from reddish brown to gray. Horizontal pores mark its surface, which may peel in bands. Young twigs are shiny and red-brown. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They have pointed tips and fine teeth along their edges. Their dark, glossy tops contrast with paler undersides. Leaves turn red and orange in fall.

White flowers open from April to May in small umbels. Each flower has five petals around yellow-tipped stamens. Red drupes ripen in late summer and fall. Each small fruit holds one hard pit. Birds, bears, and small mammals eat the fruit. Grouse eat the buds, while deer and moose browse shoots. The leaves feed several kinds of butterfly caterpillars. Adult butterflies visit the flowers for nectar.

Grow pin cherry in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates several soil textures, including clay, loam, and sand. It cannot cope with shade from taller trees. Cool summers suit it better than hot, humid weather. It is hardy in USDA zones 3–7. Meadows and open woods suit it better than small gardens. Its roots can help limit soil erosion. Young stands shelter slower-growing trees before shade kills the cherries. Leaves and fruit yield dyes; bark serves as basket trim. Frequent pests and disease make it a demanding garden tree. Problems include cherry leaf spot, black knot, rust, and mildew. Tent caterpillars, cankerworms, and sawflies can damage the leaves.

The sour flesh can make jelly, syrup, or pies. Gum from the trunk has also served as chewing gum. Traditional remedies used parts of the bark, roots, and fruit. These uses do not establish safe medical treatment. Leaves and pits contain compounds that can release cyanide. Chewing or crushing the seeds raises the poisoning risk. Remove pits before blending fruit or making food. The plant also poses a hazard to pets and horses.