Pin Cherry, Fire Cherry

Prunuspensylvanica

Family
Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee)
Genus
Prunus (PROO-nus)
Species
pensylvanica (pen-sill-VAN-ee-ka)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Height
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Trees
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

College, Alaska

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Halifax, Massachusetts

Grand Portage, Minnesota

Isle, Minnesota

Middleburg, Pennsylvania

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
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R
Downingtown, PA | April 2019 | positive

So far, I have only seen this species once, and that was at the Hawk Mountain Raptor Sanctuary about 30 miles northwest of Reading, Penns...Read More

C
C
Palmer, AK (Zone 4a) | January 2016 | positive

Specimens have been growing for decades in the Georgeson Botanical Garden at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Fairbanks, Alaska. 99709...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2016 | neutral

A large shrub to small tree with abundant showy white spring flowers, brilliant fall color, and excellent wildlife value. Fast-growing, t...Read More

N
| July 2010 | positive

I like this cherry it almost looks like the big ones the fruit also tastes better than choke or black cherries but they all contain cyanide.

O
Middleburg, PA | March 2008 | negative

I like this tree, but it can be a negative depending on your growing situation. You can not grow this tree anywhere that livestock have a...Read More

N
Broadview, SK (Zone 3a) | October 2004 | positive

Grows wild here in Saskatchewan (Zone 3)
The cherries make a wonderful slightly tart jelly, the color of which is vibrantly beauti...Read More

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Arkansas clearwing moth
(Synanthedon arkansasensis)
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(Archilochus alexandri)
Featured
Arkansas clearwing moth
(Synanthedon arkansasensis)
Black-chinned Hummingbird
(Archilochus alexandri)