PIN CHERRY (PRUNUS PENSYLVANICA)

Distribution

Prunus pensylvanica can be found from Newfoundland and southern Labrador, crossing Canada to the west and reaching British Columbia and the southern Northwest Territories. Additionally it is very common in the Great Lakes region.

The Pin cherry is rather short lived, having a lifespan of only 20–40 years following a rapid maturation. It's root system is shallow, with roots tending to grow laterally. It is an important food source for many animals. Winter moose browse it in the Great Lake states and boreal forest region.

It’s a small tree, growing up to 12 metres in height and 25 centimetres in diameter.  The fruit of the pin cherry is bright red and is 6 to 8 millimetres across, and it ripens from late July to early September.   They are edible but very sour.

In the spring, the pin cherry tree is covered in white blossoms about 5 millimetres long that grow in bunches.  In nature, the seeds of the pin cherry can lie dormant in the ground for many decades, sprouting in great numbers after some kind of disturbance like a wind storm or fire removes the forest cover. For human consumption, it is usually made into jams or jellies

  

Size:  12 metres high, trunk is 25 cm in diameter
Moisture:  Can tolerate different moisture levels
Shade:  Needs full sun
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils