In the spring, when the air is filled with the scent of new flowers, there’s something magical about walking through a garden or woods. For nature lovers, identifying these blossoms can be as delightful as the blooms themselves. From the soft pink petals of cherry blossoms to the fluffy clusters of hawthorn flowers, each tree has its own style. So how do you tell the difference between all the different kinds of blossoms? We have a guide that will show you the most important things that make each type of blossom unique, making you a real blossom expert.
Springtime is the season of renewal and rebirth. As the weather warms, trees emerge from their winter dormancy and begin to bloom. Two of the most beloved spring-blooming trees are the apple blossom tree and the cherry blossom tree. Though both erupt in gorgeous pastel flowers in early spring, there are some key differences between these two flowering species.
When Do They Bloom?
Cherry blossom trees typically bloom earlier in spring than apple blossom trees The exact blooming time can vary slightly based on climate, but in general
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Cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early May In warmer climates like the southern United States, they may start blooming as early as mid-February In colder climates, cherry blossom season may not start until April.
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Apple blossoms bloom from mid-April to early June. They emerge slightly later than cherries. In warmer areas, apple blossoms may emerge in late March, while in colder climates they won’t appear until May.
So in most temperate regions, you’re likely to see cherry blossoms first, followed by apple blossoms a few weeks later as the weather continues to warm. Planning a spring trip? Target late March to mid-April for peak cherry blossom viewing, or late April to mid-May for apple blossoms.
Flower Color
The blossoms of cherry and apple trees can be distinguished by their hue:
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Cherry blossoms range from a light pink to a deeper, vibrant pinkish-red. The iconic cherry tree in full bloom is a vision of delicate pink petals.
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Apple blossoms are almost always white or a very pale, delicate pink when they first emerge, later fading to white. Some apple varieties may have a pinkish tinge, but not the rich pink of a cherry blossom.
So if you see a flowering tree erupting in deep pink blossoms, it’s likely a cherry. For white and pale pink blooms, it’s probably an apple.
Flower Shape and Structure
Looking closely at the shape and structure of the flowers can also help tell cherry blossoms and apple blossoms apart:
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Cherry blossoms generally have just five petals per flower, sometimes layered or ruffled for a fuller, frillier bloom. The flowers are arranged in dangling clusters, giving the whole tree a weeping appearance.
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Apple blossoms often have five delicate, smooth-edged petals surrounding a central cluster of many small stamens (the pollen-producing parts of the flower). The clustered stamens give apple blossoms a rounder, pompom-like shape.
So apple blossoms tend to look fuller and more condensed, while cherry blossoms appear more airy and layered.
Fragrance
Catch a whiff of these spring bloomers, and you may be able to tell them apart by fragrance alone:
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Cherry blossoms have a fresh, floral scent that is subtle and understated. You may need to press your nose right up to the blooms to detect it.
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Apple blossoms are highly fragrant, filling the air with sweet notes of citrus, honey, and rose. Their scent is noticeable from a distance.
Apple blossoms tend to be the more noticeably aromatic of the two. Stop and smell them—you should be able to detect their perfume from yards away!
Native Habitats
You’re more likely to find each type of tree growing under certain conditions:
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Cherry trees thrive in temperate regions with cool winters and warm, humid summers. They prefer sandy, acidic soil with good drainage. In the U.S., cherry blossoms grow best along the Pacific Coast and Northeast regions.
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Apple trees adapt readily to many soil and moisture conditions, though they prefer slightly acidic, loamy soil. They require long exposure to cold temperatures to flower properly. Apples are grown commercially across most of the continental U.S.
So apple trees have a much wider native growing range than cherries. If you see flowering trees growing wild, cherry blossoms are more likely in coastal areas, while apple blossoms can appear nearly anywhere in temperate forests and woodlands.
Orchard Planting Patterns
If you spot an orchard of flowering trees, look at the layout of the trees to help determine what you’re seeing:
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Cherry trees are typically spaced widely apart when cultivated in an orchard, up to 30 feet between trees. This prevents disease transmission and allows large equipment access between trees.
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Apple trees are most often planted just 8-14 feet apart in dense, orderly rows to maximize productivity per acre. More narrow spacing means more trees per orchard.
So a widely spaced orchard in neat rows likely contains cherries, while a dense, crowded planting pattern indicates apples.
After Bloom: Fruit Development
The ultimate proof is in the pudding, as they say. After the blooms fade away, what fruit develops can confirm what type of flowering tree you have:
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Fertilized cherry blossoms develop into cherries! Depending on variety, cherries ripen from June through August.
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Pollinated apple blossoms transform into apples in late summer to early fall. Specific apple varieties ripen at different times from July through November.
So revisit your flowering trees in summer and fall—cherry trees will bear cherries, while apple trees will develop apples. Mystery solved!
Cultural Significance
Beyond botany, apple vs. cherry blossoms have very different cultural symbolism:
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In Japan, cherry blossoms represent renewal and the impermanence of life. Hanami, the traditional custom of viewing cherry blossoms, dates back centuries and is celebrated with viewing parties under the trees.
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Apple blossoms represent promises, hope, and new beginnings across many cultures. In ancient mythology, apple blossoms signified eternal youth and immortality.
So in literature, myth, and legend you’re more likely to hear references to cherry trees signaling life’s fleeting nature, while apple blossoms represent eternity, promise, and the future yet to unfold.
Two Beautiful Bloom Seasons
While they share similarities, cherry blossoms and apple blossoms each contribute their own special charm to the spring landscape. Apples flower later for a prolonged bloom season, while fleeting cherry blossoms provide a quicker burst of magic.
Distinguish between these two flowering tree varieties by bloom time, flower color, structure, fragrance, habitat, fruit development, and cultural meanings. With a trained eye, you’ll be able to spot the difference in no time!
Apple Blossom: The Fragrant Harbinger of Fruit
Apple blossoms are a sign that warmer days are on the way. The flowers in this group range from white to pink and are a bit stronger than cherry blossoms. They smell sweet. Apple blossoms usually have five petals, arranged in a star-like shape. One of the easiest ways to identify an apple blossom is by its buds. The buds are often pink and gradually turn white as they open, giving the tree a two-toned appearance.
Apple blossoms are often accompanied by the tree’s first leaves, which are a deep green color and have a fuzzy feel to them. If you see a tree with flowers that smells sweet and has leaves already, it’s probably an apple tree.
Hawthorn Blossom: The Mayflower with a Rich History
Known as the May tree, the hawthorn is deeply rooted in folklore and tradition. Its blossoms are often associated with ancient celebrations of fertility and the arrival of summer. The flowers are small white and form dense bunches. Each flower has five petals and is usually found on the thorns and leaves of the tree.
One way to distinguish hawthorn blossoms is by their scent. Unlike the sweet fragrance of apple and cherry blossoms, hawthorn flowers have a more musky, earthy aroma. If you are walking through the woods and come across a tree with small white flowers that smell very strong, almost pungent, you have probably found a hawthorn.
How To Photograph Trees With Cherry Or Apple Blossoms
FAQ
What’s the difference between a cherry blossom and an apple blossom?
What trees are mistaken for cherry blossoms?
Is there an apple blossom tree?
How do you identify apple tree blossoms?
What is the difference between cherry trees and cherry blossom trees?
Essentially, both trees are related and produce similar flowers and fruits. However, cherry trees are grown for their tasty fruits, while cherry blossom trees are grown for their beautiful flowers, and neither can compete with the other in the opposing category. The biggest difference between these two trees is during their flowering period.
Are cherry blossoms related to Japan?
The fact that cherry blossoms and Japan are so closely linked can be seen in the names that people give the trees. Many cherry blossoms are referred to as Japanese cherry trees or Sakura trees. You’ll find that these ornamental trees have sacrificed the fruit aspect to increase flower production.
Do cherry blossoms produce fruit?
The opposite is true for cherry blossoms. These trees do still produce small fruits, but all the attention is placed on the flowers. They are cultivated for their beauty and hybridized to produce the best-looking flowers over the longest time.
Why are cherry blossoms so beautiful?
This is why cherry blossoms are so visually stunning. Cherry trees are very pretty in their own right, but cherry blossoms put the focus on the amazing display of the blossoms. Cherry blossom trees are very popular for a good reason. They’re truly a sight to behold when they’re in full bloom.
Are cherry blossom trees ornamental?
Cherry blossom trees are an ornamental type of cherry tree. There are quite a few ornamental cherry trees in existence, and some of these cherry trees can be found in the wild. However, the cherry blossoms that are commonly used in festivals in places such as Japan are not found in the wild.
How do cherry trees differ from ornamental trees?
Fruit production requires strict conditions, whereas ornamental trees still provide value if not in the ideal conditions for most of the year. Cherry trees need full sun all day to thrive, whereas cherry blossoms can survive in partial shade. These trees differ slightly in terms of their lighting requirements.