Pin Cherry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Western Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus pensylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Chokecherry
Pin Cherry

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

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.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Pin Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Fall colour: reddish-purple
Fall colour: very bright orangish-red
Bark: reddish brown bark has an attractive appearance in the winter
Flowers: white
Fruit: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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