Pin Cherry

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Globally secure (G5) and secure in both Ontario and Quebec (S5/S5). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Abundant across its range, especially on recently disturbed sites. IUCN status is Least Concern.

S22 G5, S5 ON, S5 QC; S26 not SARA listed

Rarity Ranks

QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Pin cherry is the quintessential pioneer tree of disturbed boreal and northern hardwood forests. It colonizes rapidly after fire, windthrow, or clearcutting from a persistent buried seed bank that can remain viable for 50-150 years. In the Outaouais region, it forms pure thickets or mixes with quaking aspen, paper birch, and yellow birch on sandy, rocky, or recently cleared sites. It functions as a nurse tree, stabilizing soils and shading seedlings of sugar maple, beech, and other climax species before dying off within 20-40 years.

S41 nurse tree, pioneer after fire/cutting; S61 colonizes after clearcut/fire; S7 characteristic of burned/cleared areas

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor, Wildlife Habitat

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 15 bee associations (threshold=3)] | Wildlife Habitat: S72 Hemenway (tables: 7-2, pp. 116)]

Notes

Pin cherry is a classic nurse tree in permaculture guild design. Its rapid establishment and short lifespan (20-40 years) create a temporary canopy that protects slower-growing hardwood seedlings from exposure. Its vigorous root system stabilizes soils and channels nutrients from runoff into biomass. The abundant fruit attracts birds that also disperse seeds of other species. In a designed guild, it pairs well as a temporary overstory with sugar maple, beech, and yellow birch saplings.

S41 nurse tree, nutrient cycling role; S29 soil stabilization, pioneer; S72 wildlife habitat (Table 7-2, p. 116)

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Febrifuge, Antitussive, Astringent, Dermatological Aid, Blood Medicine, Pulmonary Aid, Disinfectant, Gastrointestinal Aid, Ophthalmic, Hemostat

S28 Moerman categories: Febrifuge, Cough Medicine, Blood Medicine, Disinfectant, Pulmonary Aid, Dermatological Aid, Gastrointestinal Aid, Eye Medicine, Hemostat, Throat Aid; S29 Antitussive, Astringent, Febrifuge, Ophthalmic, Pectoral

Notes

Extensively used by Algonquin, Cherokee, Cree, and Iroquois peoples. Bark infusions treated fevers, coughs, colds, bronchitis, and infections. Cherokee used root bark as an astringent wash for old sores and ulcers, and inner bark decoctions for laryngitis. Algonquin Tete-de-Boule applied poultice of boiled inner bark to bleeding umbilical cords. Cree used inner bark infusion as eye wash. Iroquois applied compound root salve to burns. All Prunus species contain amygdalin, which releases small amounts of hydrocyanic acid.

S28 42 medicinal/drug uses across 8 nations; S29 bark for fevers, bronchitis, coughs

Edibility & Foraging

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✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Fruit eaten fresh or used for jelly, syrup, and pies by Algonquin, Cherokee, and Cree peoples. The thin, sour flesh is usually considered too acidic for fresh eating but makes excellent preserves. A chewing gum can be obtained from trunk exudations. Seeds are edible when not too bitter, but contain amygdalin and should be consumed with caution.

S28 Algonquin Quebec: fruit eaten fresh, made into jelly; Cherokee: fruit for food/pies/jam; S29 fruit raw or cooked, gum from trunk; S4 fruits used for jelly or syrup

Toxicity

☠️ High Toxicity

Wilted leaves, twigs, and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin) that release hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid). Symptoms include gasping, weakness, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, and respiratory failure; potentially fatal if large quantities consumed. Toxicity of pin cherry leaves is lower than that of most other cherry species. Livestock are at greatest risk from wilted foliage. The fruit flesh is safe; bitter seeds should be avoided.

S4 cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin; S29 hydrogen cyanide in seeds and leaves; S41 leaves poison to livestock, toxicity lower than other cherries

Seed Source

• Blue Sea