Pin Cherry vs Sour Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Pin Cherry vs Sour Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Prunus cerasus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Pin Cherry
Sour Cherry

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.

Sour Cherry is a self-fertile and cold hardy cherry tree. Not to be confused with sweet cherries, sour cherries are the only cherries that are successfully grown in prairie climates.

Sour Cherry is ideal for cooking, preserves, or for making juices and jams, while sweet cherries are preferred for fresh eating. While we can't confirm claims of sour cherries medical benefits, studies have shown that sour cherries contain anti-inflammatory properties and can help regulate sleep patterns.

Sour Cherry flowers emerge in April-May with fruit ripening in June-July. This variety prefers well-drained soil and does not like any standing water. If you're looking to create an inexpensive edible hedge, consider Sour Cherry.

This Sour Cherry is produced from seed and is not a clonally reproduced selection like the Evans, Rose, or Montmorency.

Pin Cherry Quick Facts

Sour Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


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: 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, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, NT, PE
Other Names: bird cherry, fire cherry, pincherry, red cherry, wild red cherry