Autumn cherry trees are a unique variety of ornamental cherry that bloom twice a year – once in spring and again in fall. With their graceful branching structure and delicate pinkish-white blossoms, they add stunning seasonal interest to landscapes. But are autumn cherry trees the right choice for your yard? Let’s explore the key pros and cons of these double-blooming beauties.
The Pros of Autumn Cherry Trees
Twice the Flower Power
The main appeal of autumn cherries is their twice-annual blooming habit. While most cherries only flower briefly in spring autumn cherries offer a spring show of blossoms followed by an encore performance when their bare branches become cloaked in flowers again in fall. The blooms emerge first as deep reddish-pink buds opening to softer pink and finally fading to white.
Graceful Shape and Form
In addition to the floral display, autumn cherry trees have an inherently attractive shape. Their branches are upright and spreading, forming a broad, rounded canopy ideal for shade. The oval green leaves fill out the crown in summer before turning brilliant shades of gold, orange and red in fall
Fast Growing When Young
Another plus is that autumn flowering cherries grow quickly when young, often putting on 2 feet or more of growth per year until maturity. This means you don’t have to wait long to have a specimen in full bloom compared to slower growing trees. They’ll reach an ultimate height of 25-35 feet.
Winter Hardiness
Despite their delicate blossoms, autumn cherry trees are quite cold hardy once established. They thrive in USDA planting zones 5-8, able to withstand winter temps as low as -20°F. The early spring blooms are also resilient to late frosts.
Wildlife Magnets
The spring flowers give way to small, bitter fruits relished by birds. The cherries provide an excellent food source for wildlife when other nourishment is still scarce. Expect to see flocks of birds feasting on them!
Adaptability
Autumn blooming cherries tolerate various soil types including clay, loam and sand. They prefer moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil but can adapt to less ideal conditions. Just avoid soggy or compacted sites.
The Cons of Autumn Cherry Trees
Fleeting Bloom Time
The main drawback is that the floral display of autumn cherry trees is quite brief. Each bloom session only lasts about 1-2 weeks. The rest of the year, they are purely foliage plants. Some find them boring without the blossoms.
Fruit Litter
The small fruits will drop and litter the ground beneath the tree as they ripen. Since the cherries are too bitter for humans to eat, the fallen fruit can be a nuisance. It may also stain pavements.
Shallow Root System
Autumn cherries tend to develop roots close to the soil surface. This makes them more prone to blowing over in high winds once established. The shallow roots may also interfere with lawn mowing.
Disease Susceptibility
Cherry trees in general are vulnerable to certain fungal diseases like leaf spot, powdery mildew, and black knot. Proper spacing for air circulation and preventative care are important.
Insect Pests
Birds aren’t the only wildlife attracted to autumn cherries. Aphids, tent caterpillars, borers and Japanese beetles may infest the trees, requiring pest management.
Fruit Removal Tedium
You can prune out the spent fruits to prevent mess and stains, but this can be tedious. Frequent removal is needed to keep the tree picked clean before the cherries drop.
Key Considerations for Growing Autumn Cherry Trees
Site in Full Sun: Autumn cherries need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for abundant flowering and strong growth. Morning sun is ideal.
Provide Ample Space: Allow room for the 25-35 foot spread to develop without crowding. Plant trees at least 30 feet apart.
Water Deeply: Supplement rainfall as needed to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Drought causes leaf drop.
Apply Spring Fertilizer: If growth seems slow, fertilize with a balanced 10-10-10 formula in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing.
Prune Judiciously: Only prune to shape the canopy and remove dead branches. Blooms form on old wood, so avoid heavy pruning.
Monitor for Pests: Inspect trees frequently and treat infestations early to prevent major pest damage. Targeted organic or synthetic controls may be needed.
The Bottom Line on Autumn Cherry Trees
In the right setting, autumn flowering cherry trees provide a stunning floral focal point in spring and fall, drawing admiring looks. They also attract beloved songbirds. However, considerations like their brief blooms, fruit litter, and care needs limit their utility. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before planting autumn cherries to decide if they suit your landscape vision and maintenance tolerance. With proper siting and care, they can make a gorgeous addition. But they aren’t suited for every location or gardener.
Ultimately autumn cherry trees offer gorgeous though fleeting ornamental value along with wildlife appeal. If you have the space and are willing to handle the drawbacks, they are undeniably beautiful. However, lower maintenance options like redbuds or serviceberries may be better choices for less involved gardeners. Consider your personal gardening style and site conditions to determine if fussy but dazzling autumn cherries are right for you!
Why plant Autumn Flowering Cherry?
The Autumn Flowering Cherry brings a Cherry Blossom Festival to your home each spring with billowy clouds of blush pink cherry blossoms that are a pollinator’s paradise. This fast-growing tree is a type of Higan Cherry—like the popular pink Weeping Flowering Cherry, but in a rounded/upright form. Your Autumn Cherry tree will delight you with a modest encore pink blooms in fall, giving our valuable honeybees a bit more sustenance before they retire for the winter. Plant this premium ornamental tree where you’re sure to see the spring and fall blossoms, as well as the peachy-gold fall foliage and the songbirds that will come to your yard to devour the small black “cherries.”
Thanks to a very generous gift from the People of Japan in 1912, approximately 3,750 Cherry trees are planted along the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. In a ceremony on March 27, 1912 the first lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador Viscountess Chinda, planted the first two trees together on the northern bank in West Potomac Park. These two original trees are still standing today marked by a large plaque. Each spring our nation’s capital celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This has become a cherished tradition for many, drawing 1.5 million people to the city each year. In 2012, The United States sent 3000 flowering dogwood trees to Japan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japan’s Cherry trees. The trees are a living reminder of the good will and friendship between the two countries.
How To Plant Autumn Flowering Cherry
These Flowering Cherries grow well in full sun and require soil that is moist but not too wet. If the soil is too wet, their leaves will start to turn yellow and fall off. Cherry trees do get the occasional parade of Japanese Beetles. Those shiny little beetles will eat almost the entire leaf, leaving only the veins of the leaf behind – this is called skeletonizing. There are a few different brands of insecticides that you can use to get rid of Japanese Beetles, but if you have a relatively small beetle problem and some spare time, you can remove them by hand as well.
Flowering Cherry will appreciate watering deeply, and regularly during its first few years in the ground. Irrigate weekly, and especially during long dry spells or extreme heat after it’s established.
A yearly dose (for the first 3 or 4 years) of tree fertilizer will be beneficial for the tree to grow healthy and strong for the following spring flower show.
Pruning branches after the tree is done blooming is preferred. This will give the tree plenty of time to heal and form new buds for the following spring.
4 steps to choosing the perfect cherry blossom tree
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of cherry blossom trees?
Ornamental Cherries are prone to a lot of diseases that are pretty devastating. Black knot and several cankers can wipe out a landscape full of cherries in just a couple of years.
How tall does an autumn cherry tree get?
Average growth rate, these can reach 20 – 30 feet in height and 20 – 30 feet wide, just right to provide wonderful shade and impact without sacrificing much …
Where to plant an autumn cherry tree?
These Flowering Cherries grow well in full sun and require soil that is moist but not too wet. If the soil is too wet, their leaves will start to turn yellow and fall off.
How far should a cherry tree be from a house?
Our recommendations are below: Dwarf: 8 to 14 feet. Semi-Dwarf: 12 to 18 feet.
What does an autumn cherry tree look like?
The Autumn cherry tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a graceful spreading habit and peeling dark-brown to gray bark. It features glossy, ovate, serrated green leaves and clusters of pale-pink to white blossoms that create a subtle canopy of shade, and its blooms are followed by pea-sized black cherry fruit in late summer.
What are the disadvantages of autumn cherries?
The main drawback of autumn cherries is that their flowering period is quite short. Each bloom session only lasts for about 1-2 weeks. The rest of the year, the trees are purely foliage plants. Some feel the trees are boring or plain when not in bloom.
How long do autumn cherry trees last?
The lifespan of most autumn flowering cherry tree species is estimated at around 20 years. Though some cherry tree species (including the black cherry tree) can get up to 250 years old under the right conditions. Do autumn cherry trees produce fruit?
Are autumn cherry trees low maintenance?
Autumn cherry trees are low-maintenance and extremely rewarding. Set them up for success, and you’ll enjoy a beautiful range of foliage colors year-round and soft clusters of blossoms twice per year. Autumn cherry trees thrive in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade.
Are autumn cherry trees hardy?
In the spring, the Autumn Cherry tree yields small, black, fruit-like berries that attract songbirds and other wildlife. USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the best regions to grow various types of plants based on average temperatures throughout the year. Out of 11 total, Autumn Cherry trees grow best in Zones 5-8, thriving across most of the country.
Are Autumn Cherry Trees Dangerous?
Cherry trees tend to be susceptible to certain fungal diseases like leaf spot, powdery mildew, and black knot. Proper spacing for airflow and sanitation practices are important for prevention. Quickly removing fallen leaves in autumn can reduce disease pressure. Birds aren’t the only wildlife attracted to autumn cherry trees.