How To Grow And Care For Cherry Blossom Trees

One of the earliest harbingers of spring is the cherry blossom tree (Prunus spp.), which bursts into pink and white clouds of cotton candy blossoms in March and April. They're celebrated at cherry blossom festivals around the world where people flock to the grasses beneath their branches to marvel at the frothing blooms. Cherry blossom trees are known as sakura in Japan, where the blooms are symbols of renewal and hope. Picnicking beneath the trees is a longstanding Japanese tradition, known as hanami.

There are over 100 varieties of beautiful and stately cherry blossom trees, several of which grow well in the South. This medium-sized tree grows 15 to 30 feet tall and debuts showy white or pink single, semi-double, or double flowers with a light fragrance. In late summer, pea-size fruits make an appearance. Early fall is the best planting time for bare-root flowering cherry trees, while container-grown specimens can be put in the earth during fall or after the last spring frost. The tree grows moderately, between 2 and 4 feet a year.

One warning to keep in mind for pet owners: Seeds, leaves, and stems of cherry blossom trees are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Cherry blossom trees also tend to be short-lived, but admirers willingly overlook this and appreciate their beauty for 20 years or more.

Plant Attributes

Cherry Blossom Tree Care

Ornamental cherry trees are bred for the lovely blossoms instead of edible fruit. These trees still produce fruit in the summer months, but it's usually so sour that only animals eat it. Most cherry trees that produce edible fruits are too difficult to grow in the South. That's because they need cool temperatures, and the Southern climes don't reach or stay at the temperatures they require to blossom.

Place your cherry blossom trees in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Well-draining soil is key, as cherry blossoms don't like to sit in water and let their roots get soggy. The trees grow and establish themselves relatively quickly, but they don't last very long. Their life spans are usually 15 to 25 years long, though in optimal conditions, they have been known to reach 30 to 40 years of age.

Light

Cherry blossom trees grow best in full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Some varieties will tolerate part shade. In areas prone to droughts, be sure to plant the tree in a location where it will get partial shade, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

Soil

Cherry blossom trees can adapt to a variety of soil types, but they prefer moist, well-drained, loamy soil. Some gardeners find that amending sandy or clay soils can work for cherry blossoms and aid in drainage. However, loamy soil is generally best for growing a healthy tree. Mulch around the base of the tree, up to but not touching the trunk, to help it retain moisture without encouraging too much water collection.

Water

Water young trees weekly, increasing to twice weekly during dry weather to help them get established. After the first two seasons, watering every two weeks is sufficient, with more watering during droughts. Long soakings, enough to soak the ground all around the roots, are better for these trees than quick showers.

Temperature And Humidity

Most cherry blossom trees need winters that aren’t too harsh. Cool temperatures of about 45°F are essential for the dormancy period that allows them to blossom in the spring. Warmer temperatures during late winter may bring earlier spring blooms. Cherry trees can tolerate humid Southern summers, but need good air circulation to avoid disease. They require consistent moisture and need more frequent watering during hot, dry months.

Fertilizer

Test the soil to see if your tree has any deficiencies that require fertilizer. If modification or enrichment is needed, a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for cherry or ornamental flowering trees can be applied once every spring.

Types Of Cherry Blossom Trees

There are many different varieties and a few different species of these beautiful ornamental trees:

• The Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is the dominant selection that surrounds the Washington Tidal Basin and has a whole festival dedicated to it. It can grow up to 35 feet tall.
• The weeping cherry (P. x subhirtella) can have pink or white flowers and comes in a variety of sizes. The branches spill downward, like a weeping willow tree or water flowing from a fountain.
• The 'Okame' cherry (P. 'Okame') produces deep pink blossoms and grows up to 20 feet tall with branches stretching up in a traditional, rounded tree form. It can be an early bloomer and sometimes blossoms as early as Valentine's Day in the warmer temperatures of the lower South.
• The 'Kwanzan' cherry (P. serrulata 'Kwanzan') is a vigorous grower with frilly blooms that resemble carnations. It's usually a late bloomer that flowers in mid-to-late spring and can reach heights up to 30 feet tall.

Pruning

Cherry blossom trees don’t typically require much pruning and can be susceptible to disease from pruning cuts. If you need to prune for any reason, do so after blooming in the late spring or summer. Remove any dead or diseased wood, as well as any sprouts that appear at the base of the tree. Do not paint or coat the cut ends, which can interfere with healing. Make certain to sterilize your tools in a bleach solution afterward.

Propagating A Cherry Blossom Tree

There are a few methods that can be used to propagate a cherry blossom tree, including grafting, softwood cuttings, and air layering. Propagating using softwood cuttings must be done at the right time, just as buds appear and early in the morning. Grafting requires buying rootstock of a compatible tree.

Air layering is the easiest and most reliable method, and it is done right on the parent plant. To begin the process of air layering, follow these steps:

1. Use a sharp knife to make two parallel cuts at least 2 inches apart around the circumference of a branch that is at least 3/8 inch thick.
2. Remove the bark between the cuts, and scrape away the cambium layer to block the flow of any water and nutrients.
3. Cover the bare area with wet sphagnum moss, then cover it with plastic wrap, securing the ends with tape to prevent water from entering the area.
4. When roots begin to show through the plastic, watch for a root ball to form. When it has formed, remove the plastic, cut the branch below this new root ball, and plant the cutting.

How To Grow Cherry Blossom Trees From Seed

Cherry blossom seeds will not be genetically identical to the parent plant, but you can try growing some and see what you get. Most cherry seeds need cold stratification before planting; this involves exposing seeds to a period of cold temperatures to mimic winter which helps trigger germination. Wrap cherry seeds in a damp cloth, place them in a ziplock bag, and put them in the refrigerator for about 10 weeks.

During early spring, plant the prepared seeds in full sun about 2 inches deep into the soil, then cover with a layer of mulch to retain moisture. The sapling will take several years to mature and bloom.

Overwintering

Cherry blossom trees need little protection during winter throughout most of their hardiness zones, as the typical temperature ranges in these zones don't usually stress the trees. Young trees planted in Zone 5 will need mulch or a layer of pine straw to protect the roots from the cold during the winter months.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Like many fruit trees, flowering cherry trees are susceptible to pests and diseases that can damage or kill the trees. It's these potentially harmful garden visitors that you should watch for.

Common pests like aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and borers can cause problems. If they become a problem, use a water hose to spray them off your tree’s leaves. Japanese beetles can be picked off and dunked in a can of soapy water. Remove any caterpillar nests you see, as they will eat the leaves, leaving holes as they go.

Diseases cause more serious damage to cherry blossom trees and are more worrisome than any pests that may visit. Leaf spot and powdery mildew can be treated with fungicide. Other potential diseases include dieback, leaf curl, root rot, fire blight, black knot, and galls. They require the removal of infected branches and debris around the tree. Severe infections may require the removal of the tree to prevent any sickness from spreading to other trees in your yard. To protect your tree, avoid pruning in winter or damaging the thin bark with lawn equipment.

How To Get A Cherry Blossom Tree To Bloom

Cherry blossom season lasts for about a month every spring and is always dependent on the weather. Early March to early April is generally a good rule of thumb for when you'll see blooms. However, if warm temperatures arrive sooner, they can encourage trees to bloom as early as January and February. Most cherry blossom trees bloom for one to two weeks during the season. The further south you go, the earlier in the season the trees will bloom. When blooming, cherry blossoms make for easy and beautiful flower arrangements that can last quite a long time.

Trees that are planted in a location with favorable, sunny conditions will typically bloom well. Weather can sometimes be a factor. If a hard frost happens once the buds appear, it can cause the tree to lose its blooms for the season. However, the tree should return to blooming the next year.

Common Problems With Cherry Blossom Trees

In addition to the pests and diseases mentioned above, cherry blossom trees can have problems from environmental conditions. Here are a few to watch out for.

Oozing Gum

Gum can ooze out of tree twigs, branches, or the trunk. This can be a response to insect damage, fungal diseases, lawn equipment damage, or winter damage. Take steps to remove pests and avoid further damage to the tree. You may need to prune off diseased or damaged branches.

Bud Drop

Flower buds may drop off of trees because of a late frost or environmental stresses like drought or excessive rain. If you also see leaf and flower buds dying or branch tips dying back, the tree is likely infected with a bacterial or fungal disease. Prune off and dispose of any infected material during the growing season.

Celebrate The Blossoms In Washington, D.C.

Some of the most recognizable cherry blossoms in the United States are the ones that surround the national monuments in Washington, D.C. The cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan, and in 1912, the mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, gave the United States 3,000 cherry trees to celebrate the friendship between the cities and countries. First Lady Helen Herron Taft planted the first cherry blossom tree along the Potomac. In return, the United States gifted Japan flowering dogwoods in 1915.

Given the abundance of trees planted around Washington, D.C., the city has become a hub for blooming cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is dependent on when the trees bloom each year; peak bloom typically falls in April in Washington, but visit the official website which predicts the peak cherry blossom bloom time each spring. The festival usually includes an opening ceremony, a kite festival, and a parade, among other bloom-centric events.