Prunus pensylvanica, also known as bird cherry, fire cherry, pin cherry, and red cherry, is a North American cherry species in the genus Prunus.
Family:
Rose (Rosaceae)
Height:
20 to 35 feet at maturity
Habit:
Single trunk, sometimes growing crookedly
Leaves:
Alternate, lance-shaped to egg-shaped, up to 3.5" long and 1.5" wide. Upper surface is shiny and a darker green than the underside
Bark:
Shiny, smooth, reddish brown with horizontal lenticels
Flower:
White, 5-petaled flower, forming clusters (umbels) of 5 to 7 flowers
Fruit:
Bright red cherry (drupe), up to 0.25" across. Held on a long stalk.
Bloom time:
May-June
Fall color:
Purplish red
Nicknames:
Fire Cherry
Habitat:
Forest edges and openings
Wildlife Benefits:
Fruit is a food source for wildlife.
Notes:
An understory tree that often grows in recently disturbed areas, such as logging sites or areas that recently experienced fires. It prefers sun and is a fast grower.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/pin-cherry
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/trees/pin-cherry.html
Family | Rosaceae |
---|---|
Habit | Shrub, Tree |
Life cycle | perennial |
Origin | native |
Flower | white |
Bloom time | (5) May, (6) June |
*sites | Snail Lake |