Pin Cherry vs Common Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Common Snowberry

Prunus pensylvanica

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

Pin Cherry
Common Snowberry

Pin Cherry is a small tree that produces clusters of white blossoms in spring followed by bright red berries that ripen through the summer. The attractive red color of the leaves in the fall is an added bonus.

The fruit is quite sour when eaten fresh but is excellent when cooked into jam or jelly. Birds love the berries and will be attracted to your property.

Common Snowberry is a small deciduous shrub with characteristic white to pink flowers and clusters of white fruit.

This North American native species is very adaptable, and can be used for erosion control in riparian and restoration areas. Snowberry's fruit attracts wildlife, and livestock can consume the berries without issue.

Pin Cherry Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Fall colour: very bright orangish-red
Bark: reddish brown bark has an attractive appearance in the winter
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Fruit: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Berries: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: bird cherry, fire cherry, pincherry, red cherry, wild red cherry
Other Names: common snowberry