Pin Cherry vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Prunus pensylvanica

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Pin Cherry
Thunderchild Flowering Crab

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.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

Pin Cherry Quick Facts

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dark purple leaves
Fall colour: very bright orangish-red
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: reddish brown bark has an attractive appearance in the winter
Flowers: white
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Fruit: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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