Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

Form

Small, reaching heights of up to 30' with a diameter of up to 8"; tall, rounded crown.

Bark

Reddish-brown, breaking into papery layers; marked by irregular, horizontal bands of orange-colored lines (lenticels).

Leaf

Simple, alternate on stem, length 3" to 4"; oblong, pointed, with finely toothed margins; shiny green when fully grown, turns bright yellow in autumn.

Fruit (seed)

Drupe (cherry) about 1/4" in diameter; thick, light red skin; thin sour flesh surrounding oblong stone; flesh used in homes for making jellies; fruit borne on long-stocked clusters; ripens in middle or late summer.

Range

Common in woods throughout the state except in the south-western portion; often abundant in cutover lands, old fields, and along roadsides; shade-intolerant, fast-growing.