Cherry trees are prized for their spring blooms, but their leaves deserve appreciation too. Getting to know the range of cherry leaf shapes, colors and features can help you identify different varieties. This photo guide provides an overview of typical cherry tree leaf characteristics.
Common Traits
Most cherry tree leaves share some similar qualities:
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Alternate arrangement – Leaves emerge singly with one per node, alternating sides along stems and branches.
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Deciduous – Cherry trees drop their leaves in fall to conserve energy in winter.
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Petioles – Leaves attach to stems via petioles (leaf stems) around 2-4 inches long
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Stipules – Tiny leafy structures called stipules grow where petioles meet stems.
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Simple shape – Leaves have a single undivided blade.
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Toothed margins – Edges have small rounded serrations.
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Netted veins – Undersides reveal netted veins.
Size and Shape Variations
Cherry leaf sizes range widely from under 1 inch to over 7 inches depending on variety. Shapes also differ between types
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Wild cherries have oval, pointed leaves.
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Sweet cherries are wider, elliptic to oblong.
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Sour cherries are more slender, lanceolate.
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Ornamental cherries often have broader, heart or fan shapes.
Color Range
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Young leaves can emerge reddish, turning green.
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Mature leaves are generally medium to dark green.
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Some ornamental varieties have reddish-bronze, purple-tinged or variegated leaves.
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Fall foliage ranges from yellow to red depending on cultivar.
Surface Textures
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Sweet and sour cherries have glossy leaves.
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Wild and ornamental cherries usually have dull finishes.
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Some ornamentals have hairy leaves.
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Undersides may be smooth or fuzzy along veins.
Photographing Cherry Leaves
Cherry leaves make great photo subjects to capture their diverse forms and hues. Tips include:
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Focus on the uniqueness of each variety – heart-shaped, giant, dwarf etc.
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Capture the color gradation through a tree’s foliage.
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Backlight or illuminate leaves to emphasize venation.
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Capture fresh spring growth and autumn tones.
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Isolate single leaves or small groups with soft backgrounds.
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Include leaves with flowers or fruit.
Cherry Leaf Identification
Though cherry blossoms get more fame, the leaves contribute tremendous diversity in shape, size, texture, arrangement and color. Noticing and photographing these details helps appreciate and identify the many cherry tree varieties in existence.
Examples of Common Cherry Tree Leaf Types
Here are some examples of popular cherry tree leaf varieties:
Yoshino Cherry
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Delicate oval leaves with pointy tips
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Alternate arrangement on stems
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Fine serrations along edges
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Glossy medium green color
Weeping Cherry
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Oval leaves with long pointed tips
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Alternate arrangement
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Doubly serrated edges
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Smooth, dull finish
Kwanzan Cherry
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Broad oval leaves up to 5 inches long
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Pointed tips and tapered bases
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Coarsely serrated edges
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Glossy green on top, paler below
Pin Cherry
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Oval, elliptical leaves 1-3 inches long
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Finely serrated edges
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Smooth, shiny surface
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Brilliant autumn tones
Black Cherry
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Oblong oval leaves 3-5 inches long
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Pointed tips, rounded bases
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Doubly serrated edges
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Dull, dark green color
Sour Cherry
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Lance-shaped, slender leaves
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Pointed tips, tapered bases
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Finely serrated edges
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Glossy medium green
Though renowned for blossoms, cherry tree leaves contribute year-round interest through their diverse forms, features, arrangements and colors. Taking time to notice and photograph these details helps appreciate and identify the many existing cherry tree varieties.
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- 1 Study the flowers. Cherry tree flowers are either white or pink in color, and they do not have a scent. They grow in clusters, with each flower stalk emerging from one central point. Cherry tree flowers also have long stamens that poke up from the flowers.[1]
- This distinct clustering flower growth pattern is a key way to distinguish cherry trees from trees with similar traits. For example, peach trees grow single flowers, and almond tree flowers grow in pairs.
- Cherries are likely to flower early in the spring. They produce clusters of pale green berries later on in the spring.
- 2 Examine the petals. On cherry trees, each single flower has 5 petals. Semi double flowers have 6 to 10 petals, and double blossoms have 10 petals or more. Cherry tree petals each have a small cleft, while plum petals are rounded.[2] Advertisement
- 3 Count the styles. Cherry tree styles are the long tubes that connect to the flower’s ovary, distinct from the stems. The ovary is the part of the tree that becomes the fruit. Each cherry tree blossom has only one style.
- Some trees, like crab trees that flower, look a lot like cherry trees. However, in flowering crab trees, each flower has four to five styles. Apple and pear trees have two to five. Mespil trees have five.
- If you look more closely at the tree and notice that the flowers are attached to only one style, that’s a good sign it’s a cherry tree.
- 4 Examine the fruit. Ornamental cherry tree varieties do not produce fruit. Fruiting cherry trees have hanging fruit that grows in pairs or clusters. The fruit hangs where the flowers did before. The fruit will be small, pale and green in late spring. In late summer, the cherries get larger and redder. Some cherry trees produce fruit that is yellow or black instead of red.[3]
- If you take a close look at the fruit, you should be able to distinguish cherry trees from other fruiting trees, such as cherry plum trees or apple trees. Cherry fruit is rounder in shape than either of these.
- A good rule of thumb is that if the fruit is smaller than ¾ of an inch, it is probably a cherry. Cherry plums and regular plums are usually bigger, about 1 inch or larger.
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How To Identify A Cherry Tree By Its Leaves? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
How do I identify cherry tree leaves?
The cherry tree’s leaves are toothed. They are oval shaped, and they have a point at the tip. There are serrated margins on the leaves.
What’s the difference between a cherry tree and a cherry bush?
Bush cherry plants are smaller than regular cherry trees. While they’re excellent as windbreaks, their impressive foliage and gorgeous blooms make them pretty useful as ornamentals. Most varieties of bush cherries start producing within a few years of planting.
How to identify a wild cherry tree?
To identify a wild cherry tree, focus on its bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The bark is typically reddish-brown with horizontal lines (lenticels) that can peel in older trees. Leaves are oval, pointed, and finely toothed, often with rusty hairs along the midrib on the underside. Flowers are white and appear in clusters in the spring.
What trees are mistaken for cherry blossoms?
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca), peaches (P. persica), and nectarines (also P. persica) have showy spring blossoms that all resemble cherries. They may be white or pink, depending on the cultivar or hybrid.
How many cherry tree leaves photos are available?
Browse 10,927 cherry tree leaves photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more. Browse Getty Images’ premium collection of high-quality, authentic Cherry Tree Leaves stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures.
Are cherry tree leaves stock photos royalty-free?
453,690 cherry tree leaves stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free. See cherry tree leaves stock video clips
What does a cherry tree look like?
Ornamental cherry leaves are often broader, heart or fan-shaped. Young leaves often emerge reddish, turning green as they mature. Mature cherry leaves are generally a medium to dark green. Some ornamental varieties have reddish-bronze, purple-tinged or variegated leaves. Fall foliage color ranges from yellow to red depending on the cultivar.
How do you identify a cherry tree leaf?
Cherry tree leaves have distinct features that make them easy to identify: Edge: Serrated or toothed edges enhance their appearance. Surface: Glossy texture contributes to their vibrancy. Petiole: A short stem attaches the leaf to the branch. In spring and summer, cherry tree leaves add to the landscape’s lushness.
What are cherry tree leaves?
Cherry tree leaves are more than just a backdrop to their stunning blooms. They add a vibrant touch to your garden or landscape throughout the seasons. Whether you’re drawn to the delicate shapes or the rich colors that change with the weather, there’s something truly special about these leaves.
What do cherry trees look like in the fall?
Cherry tree leaves turn orange, golden-yellow, bronze, and red colors in the fall. Several cherry species (Prunus) are excellent shade trees in garden settings, parks, and residential streets during the summer when dense cherry tree leaves. The bark of cherry trees is brown to gray and has horizontal cuts in it.