Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) 10-30′ tall/spread. Pin cherry is a small common tree inhabiting a great variety of lands in the northern part of the United States and Canada. It is sometimes called fire cherry for its value as a reforesting agent after forest fires. It forms pure stands that provide shade for seedlings of slower growing species, then dies off, making way for the new trees. Twigs are red, with buds clustered at or near the twig tips. White, rose-like, flowers appear in late spring, followed by a red, round, hanging fruit.

Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila) 50′ tall/spread. As its name suggests, this species only does well in well drained soils. A familiar low shrub of coastal dunes, this creeping plant can be found along most sandy lake shores, making it a beneficial plant for sand stabilizer. The plump, roundish cherries, which are substantially larger than those produced by black cherry, choke cherry or pin cherry, are mature when they turn a deep blackish purple. The fruits are edible and a favorite wildlife food, sweet but somewhat astringent tasting, and usually much more suitable for making jellies and jams than eating directly from the bush.

 

Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) 50′ tall/spread. A large, fast growing, graceful tree with neat, glossy foliage. The trees are covered with clusters of small white flowers in May. The small black cherries, which ripen in late summer, have a rich, wine-like flavor. They can also be used to make a dark, rich jelly which is considered by some to be the finest of jellies. As the fruits are also very attractive to birds, wild black cherry is useful for distracting birds from other crops. Also an important timber tree, wild black cherry is the main species used for cherry furniture and veneer.