Bitter cherry is a shrub to small tree, growing from 2-15 m (6.5-49 ft) tall. The deciduous leaves are finely toothed and rounded at the tips. The bark is smooth, reddish-brown or grey, and with prominent horizontal rows of raised pores. The white or pinkish flowers produce small red cherries. Bitter cherry grows in moist areas in forests and along streams from low to middle elevations.
The inner bark of bitter cherry has been used as an internal medicine for various respiratory ailments and as an external medicine, as it is considered to be good in the treatment of infection. The flexible yet strong outer bark has been used as a wrapping to attach points to fishing spear or harpoon shafts.
