The margins are finely, and often doubly, toothed. Terminal buds are absent. End buds are pseudo-terminal buds. A close examination of the twig will show a small branch stub at the end where the terminal growth aborted. The glabrous branches are black to reddish-brown in color.
Twigs have thornlike spurs.
When in bloom, the trees are a mass of white, highly fragrant flowers. May. The fruit is globular or rounded with thick, red to yellow skin that ripens in June or July. Early settlers of Ohio valued wild plums for jelly, plum butter, and preserves. Cherry Pin cherry is a small tree usually not more than 30 feet in height. Branches are slender, smooth, brown to reddish in color, and glossy.