Japanese Flowering Cherry, Oriental Cherry, Hill Cherry, East Asian Cherry
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size for the species is 50-75' tall, but the cultivars are much more common and shorter at 20-25' tall with a vase-shaped to rounded form. Moderate growth rate. Relatively short-lived. Can live 30-50 years, but may live only 20 years in the landscape.

Native Range

Species native to Japan, China, Korea.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers differ widely by selection, but range from single to double, white to pink, and from 0.5-2.5" diameter. Usually in April to early May, borne profusely along the stems, usually before or with the leaves. Fruits are blackish-purple drupes.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Simple leaves, alternately arranged, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, serrate to serrulate, 2-5" long and 1.25-2.5" wide, glabrous. Reddish-brown or bronze when unfolding, becoming lustrous dark green. Petiole 0.5-1" long, usually with 2-4 glands. Fall color is a good bronze to subdued red. Notable Bark: Bark is gray-brown, with prominent horizontal lenticels.

Culture and Care

Prefers well-drained, moist, acidic soil, in full sun to part shade. Tolerates dry. Will also tolerate clay soils if not in a low, wet, poorly-drained site. Zones 5-7. More pest resistant than other cherries and has disease resistant foliage. Even so, still has problems with cankers and virus diseases, and may be killed by various peach tree borers.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Oriental cherries are among the most beautiful of all spring flowering trees. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. The wood is used for smoke-drying ham and bacon. Leaves are used in cake making. Many cultivars of this species are actually hybrids of some type involving P. serrulata. "Serrulata" in the name refers to the serrulate leaf margin.

Suggested Uses

Use as a specimen tree or in small groupings.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA