On older trunks the bark becomes rough and broken into thick, irregular plates. Flowers are white and open in May or June. Flowers are borne in a many-flowered raceme. Fruit is a black drupe and ripens in September or October. The fruit is dull, purplish-black, about as large as a pea, and borne in long, hanging clusters.
Fruit is edible although it has a slightly bitter taste.
The fruit can be fermented to make cherry brandy. The wood is reddish-brown with yellowish sapwood. Cherry lumber is moderately heavy, hard, strong, and fine-grained. Cherry does not warp or split in seasoning. It is valuable for its luster and color and is used for furniture and interior finish.