Pin Cherry vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Prunus pensylvanica

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Black Locust
Pin Cherry

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

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.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Pin Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 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: long
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: very bright orangish-red
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Bark: reddish brown bark has an attractive appearance in the winter
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Flowers: white
Fruit: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Berries: clusters of edible, red cherries often used for jams and jellies
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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