Bloomipedia
Fire cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
Photo: Dawn Nelson via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Fire cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Fire cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is a shrub or small tree in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–May across the U.S.

Native to Maine

Fire cherry is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Maine it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

28states where USDA records it
693ME sightings*
2,735U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Maine

Quick look

Prunus pensylvanica, also known as bird cherry, fire cherry, pin cherry, and red cherry, is a North American cherry species in the genus Prunus. The fruit is edible and can be used in canning.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 28 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Maine. NatureServe
  • In Maine, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 30 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 693 research-grade sightings of it in Maine, ranking #103 among the 160 flowers on our Maine list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Maine, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Maine (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (177 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: GA (S2), WY (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: medium). Poisonous parts: bark, flowers, leaves, stems. Symptoms they list: “The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not…” They also note: “Fruits can be used for jelly or syrup. Sour off the tree.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cherry” (Prunus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records fire cherry in 28 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Maine counties with USDA records: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, York.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Fire cherry a high shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.3 to 7.3 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range
4.3 to 7.3
Minimum temperature tolerated
-38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
90
Annual precipitation range
16 to 80 inches
Minimum root depth
20 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Red · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for PRPE2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 471 counties across 26 states; the most are in Wisconsin (67), Michigan (65), Pennsylvania (58).

Other Prunus on Bloomipedia (16): Black cherry, Chokecherry, Carolina laurelcherry, American plum, Beach plum, Peach, Cherry laurel, Desert peach, Sweet cherry, European plum.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry.

More Maine flowers

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Sources