Guides · Tree database · Pennsylvania trees
Sweet cherry identification: leaves, bark, fruit and twigs
Sweet cherry, Prunus avium, is an introduced tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its leaves, bark, fruit and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Leaves 2 to 5 inches long with slightly rounded teeth, usually more than 8 pairs of veins, and obvious dark glands on the leaf stem. Bark: Smooth gray-brown with long sideways lines; often peels. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify sweet cherry
| Leaf type | Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Leaves 2 to 5 inches long with slightly rounded teeth, usually more than 8 pairs of veins, and obvious dark glands on the leaf stem. |
| Bark | Smooth gray-brown with long sideways lines; often peels. |
| Fruit | Sweet dark red to nearly black cherries 1/2 to 1 inch across, early to mid summer. |
| Twigs | Gray-brown twigs with fairly large buds, often on spur shoots. |
| Size and shape | Up to about 50 feet with a broad, rounded crown; white flowers in early spring. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is sweet cherry native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists sweet cherry as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like sweet cherry
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Black cherry Prunus serotina | Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Glossy, finely toothed leaves 2 to 5 inches long, usually with a line of yellowish-brown fuzz along the underside of the midrib. |
| Pin cherry Prunus pensylvanica | Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Narrow, finely toothed leaves 3 to 5 inches long and 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, fruit and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other cherries and plums in Pennsylvania
American plum (Prunus americana), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).
Questions
How do you identify sweet cherry?
Look for alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Leaves 2 to 5 inches long with slightly rounded teeth, usually more than 8 pairs of veins, and obvious dark glands on the leaf stem. Bark: Smooth gray-brown with long sideways lines; often peels.
Is sweet cherry native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists sweet cherry as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
How big does sweet cherry get?
Up to about 50 feet with a broad, rounded crown; white flowers in early spring.
How can you tell sweet cherry in winter?
Check the twigs and bark. Twigs: Gray-brown twigs with fairly large buds, often on spur shoots. Bark: Smooth gray-brown with long sideways lines; often peels.
What tree looks like sweet cherry?
Black cherry, Pin cherry. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Prunus avium fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
Muthler Landscaping & Construction · Lock Haven, PA
Building near a tree?
Planning a patio, wall or planting bed near a tree? We build them from Lock Haven to State College and Williamsport. Outside central PA? Groundwork Single Space ($349) is a scaled 2D plan of one area with plants matched to your hardiness zone, designed remotely.
Get a quoteSee landscape designAlso: Pennsylvania tree identification, tree database, tree planting distance guide, Pennsylvania neighbor tree law.
Muthler Landscaping & Construction LLC · 913 Bellefonte Ave, Lock Haven, PA 17745 · (570) 397-9800 · PA HIC #PA212584. Call 811 before you dig.