Fire cherry was improtant for the Indians. The Native American Ethnobotany Database lists 52 citations about use of this plant for medicine, food, or wood. Although the wood is not strong or hard and is of relatively little value. The smallish, tart, bright red fruit was doubtless one ingredient in pemmican. It's still used in preserves. Fire cherry is an attractive small tree, but because of suckering does not make a good ornamental. The flowers are intermediate in size and form between our native trees and introduced species such as sweet and sour cherries.