Quick answer: Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is native to 20 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium |
| Soil | Rocky or sandy, well-drained |
| Bloom | Apr-Jun |
| Height | 35-50 ft |
| Wildlife value | Feeds 25+ nongame/game bird species, deer/grouse/beaver browse, larval host for Columbia silkmoth |
Wilted leaves/twigs/seeds highly toxic, may be fatal; contains amygdalin (cyanogenic glycoside); causes gasping, weakness, convulsions, respiratory failure (lower toxicity than other cherries)
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Pin cherry
Where is Pin cherry native?
Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is native to 20 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Pin cherry bloom?
Pin cherry blooms Apr-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Pin cherry need?
Light: Sun. Water: Medium. Soil: Rocky or sandy, well-drained. Mature height: 35-50 ft.
Is Pin cherry good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Feeds 25+ nongame/game bird species, deer/grouse/beaver browse, larval host for Columbia silkmoth.
Is Pin cherry toxic?
Wilted leaves/twigs/seeds highly toxic, may be fatal; contains amygdalin (cyanogenic glycoside); causes gasping, weakness, convulsions, respiratory failure (lower toxicity than other cherries).
Where can I buy Pin cherry?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Prunus pensylvanica by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Pin cherry.
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia
- Black oak Quercus velutina
- Pagoda dogwood Cornus alternifolia
- Slippery elm Ulmus rubra
- American elm Ulmus americana
- Flowering dogwood Cornus florida
Also listed under
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