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. Pin cherry occurs sparsely in northern Ohio, usually following a disturbance such as clear cutting or fire. The tree is not shade-tolerant and does not persist in woodlands.
Terminal buds are present.
Twigs are glabrous, slender, reddish, and shiny. Buds are usually clustered at the ends of twigs in an oak-like fashion. Small, round glands on petioles are often missing, even on young growth. Leaves are narrow to oval in shape and gradually taper to an acute tip. Leaf margins are finely and sharply toothed.