Pin Cherry vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Black Locust

Prunus pensylvanica

Robinia pseudoacacia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Pin Cherry
Black Locust

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 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 Quick Facts

Black Locust Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: very bright orangish-red
Bark: reddish brown bark has an attractive appearance in the winter
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: white
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
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: bird cherry, fire cherry, pincherry, red cherry, wild red cherry
Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust