Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - Leaves, twigs, seeds, and wilted foliage contain compounds that can release cyanide, especially when damaged or wilted. These parts are poisonous to livestock and can be harmful if eaten by pets.
Image of Prunus pensylvanica
Source: OWSL

Plant Names

image of Arbre feuillu
Prunus pensylvanica
Pin Cherry
Cerisier de Pennsylvanie

Synonyms

bird cherry
fire cherry
wild red cherry
arbre à petites merises
cerisier d'été
cerisier petit-merisier
petit merisier

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: Apr - May
Hauteur max: 50,0 feet
Max Width: 15,0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Pin Cherry has prolific white flowers of special value to native bees. It’s among the first trees to grow after wildfire, and is not long lived, fading away to make space for other species. It’s prone to suckering, so is best used in naturalizing areas. It is short lived (typically 20–40 years), self-seeds readily and may form small colonies. It grows quickly compared with many native trees. It does benefit from a little pruning to remove dead wood. It is best suited to larger landscapes where natural spread is acceptable.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Prunus pensylvanica
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taïga des plaines
  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Taïga du Bouclier
  • Plaines boréales
  • Cordillière montagnarde
  • Prairies
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Cordillière boréale
  • Maritime du Pacifique
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Prunus pensylvanica

Specialized Bees Supported by Prunus pensylvanica

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)
  • Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 150 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Warm moist stratify 60d, then cold moist stratify 90d.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Leaves, twigs, seeds, and wilted foliage contain compounds that can release cyanide, especially when damaged or wilted. These parts are poisonous to livestock and can be harmful if eaten by pets.