Sargent Cherry
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size in cultivation is 20-30' tall and wide, or 40-50' in the wild under ideal conditions. An upright tree with a rounded top. This is a fast grower. Like most cherries, this tree has a relatively short to moderate life span. However, it has fewer problems than some of the other Prunus species.

Native Range

Native to Korea and northern Japan. Introduced in 1890 by the Arnold Arboretum.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are single, pink, 1.25-1.5" across, in 2-6 flowered, sessile umbels on 1" pedicels, late April to early May, before the leaves appear, producing much color in the early spring landscape. Fruit is an ovoid, 0.33" long, purple-black drupe, ripening in June and July.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: The new leaves emerge reddish-bronze, becoming shiny, dark green in summer. Leaves are alternate, 3-5" long and half as wide, acuminate, serrate. Petiole is 0.5-1" long, with 2-4 glands near the blade. The tree casts dense shade. The foliage changes to a very showy mixture of yellow-bronze-orange-red in the fall. Notable Bark: Young stems reddish-brown w/ prominent lenticels. Older bark is attractive, polished reddish-bronze to chestnut brown and marked with extended horizontal lenticels.

Culture and Care

Likes full sun, loamy soil, pH 5-7. Tolerates wind, but not smog. Easy to transplant. Zones 4-7. Tent caterpillars may devour the foliage some years. Like most cherries, borers and fungal leaf spots can also be a problem.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

This is one of the most beautiful cherries in flower, and perhaps the hardiest and best of the larger cherries for general landscape use. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Dr. Michael Dirr, author and plantsman, calls this "the handsomest of the larger tree types for the northern states."

Suggested Uses

A great tree option for working into a large border, and perhaps underplant with bulbs and complimentary shrubs. Makes a good small shade tree, street tree or park tree.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA