The pin cherry occurs in most parts of Canada and the northern United States. The trees are small, up to approximately 40 feet (12 metres) high and can live up to 40 years.
The leaves turn a bright purplish-red in autumn. The bark is smooth and covered with highly visible horizontal lenticels.
The pin cherry produces attractive white flowers that become bright red, delicious cherries when pollinated.
This species rapidly colonizes areas cleared by cutting or burning. It also occurs along streams. Because it is intolerant of shade, the pin cherry is not very often found in forests. It grows as scattered individual trees or suckers.
Its wood is red in colour. Fruits, bright red, bitter but edible drupes (stone fruits).
Leaves, alternate, simple and toothed