Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata

The Japanese flowering cherry tree is a small to medium-sized flowering tree that has spectacular spring flowers. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall and equally as wide with variable habits. This tree is a popular ornamental in its native countries and in portions of the United States. The profuse and showy white blooms herald the advent of spring. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate and dark green. Small, round, pea-size fruits appear in the late summer. This iconic flowering tree is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family.

This tree is native to East and South China, Japan, and Korea. Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan and symbolize life, good health, and happiness. 

The genus name, Prunus, is derived from the Latin word meaning plum or cherry tree. The epithet, serrulata, means saw-like teeth and likely references the serrated leaves of this species.

The Japanese cherry tree flowers best in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soils. Provide good air circulation to reduce the risk of disease. This tree does not tolerate poorly drained soils.

This tree is usually short-lived and average life span is 15 to 20 years. There are many cultivars available with bloom colors ranging from white, pale pink, pink and deep pink, and the flowers may be single, semi-double, or double. Young leaves may be bronze or purplish in color. Depending on the cultivar, the habit maybe variable from wide spreading, vase-shaped, or weeping. Most of the cultivars do not bear fruit. 

For spectacular showy flowers in the spring consider this tree for the home landscape as a specimen, groupings, or street tree. While the species may be difficult to find commercially, there are many beautiful cultivars that are very popular. The cultivar, 'Kanzan,' is upright, vase-shaped, and has clusters of pink double flowers. Each blossom is packed with 20 to 30 petals. Planting any of the selections of the cultivars will truly make your garden a show stopper in the spring. 

Be aware that the leaves, stems, and seeds are toxic to cat, dogs, and horses.

Seasons of Interest:

Blooms:  Spring       Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• small to medium sized flowering tree, vase-shaped, spreading horizontal crown
• bark, thin, smooth, reddish-brown, glossy with prominent horizontal lenticels
• stems are reddish-brown with lenticels and large buds
• leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate to ovate, serrated margins, dark green on the upper surface and light green beneath
• showy double white flowers, cluster of 3 to 5 blooms from mid March to May
• small, round, black, fleshy drupes in the late summer

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Japanese flowering cherry is susceptible to many insect pests and diseases. Insect pests include aphids, borers, scales, spider mites, leafhoppers, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and tent caterpillars. Possible diseases include dieback, leaf curl, root rot, fire blight, leaf spot, twig cankers, black knot, galls, and powdery mildew. The trunk of the tree is prone to splitting. The tree bark is thin and is easily damaged. It can be a short-lived tree.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.