Prunus pensylvanica has simple, alternate leaves with fine teeth. The buds are usually clustered at the tips of at least some of the well-developed branches. The bark is often shiny and reddish, with conspicuous short, light-colored horizontal lines (lenticels). The flower petals are white and showy and the flowers are arranged in umbels as shown above (the flower stalks arise from a common point).

This species is well known for invading aggressively after forest fires, and is otherwise often found on sandy soils of low productivity. The cherries are small and very sour, but they are often numerous and they make good jelly. Prunus pensylvanica is distributed throughout Wisconsin.