The Pros and Cons of Autumn Cherry Trees

Autumn cherry trees are a unique variety of cherry tree that bloom twice a year – once in spring and again in fall. Their graceful branches and delicate blossoms make them a popular choice for home landscapes. But are autumn cherry trees right for your yard? In this article we’ll explore the pros and cons of these double-blooming beauties.

The Pros

Twice the Blooms

The main draw of autumn cherry trees is their twice-annual blooming habit. While most cherry trees only flower for a week or two in spring, autumn cherries offer a spring show of flowers followed by an encore performance in fall. Their blossoms start out as deep pink buds which open to pale pink and finally fade to white. The spring blooms emerge first, before the leaves. Then after the leaves change color in fall, clusters of flowers cover the bare branches again.

Graceful Shape

Autumn cherry trees have a naturally attractive shape with broad, upright branching. Their canopy spreads out evenly, making them ideal for providing shade. The oval leaves offer summer greenery which turns to a mix of bronze, gold and red in the fall before dropping.

Fast Growth

Another plus is that autumn cherry trees grow quickly when young, putting on 2 feet or more per year until maturity. This means you don’t have to wait long to enjoy a mature, blooming specimen. They reach an ultimate height and width of 20-35 feet.

Cold Hardiness

Despite their delicate flowers, autumn cherry trees are quite cold hardy. They thrive in USDA zones 5-8, meaning they can handle frigid winter temperatures as low as -20°F once established. Their early spring blooms are resilient to late frosts.

Wildlife Interest

The spring flowers give way to small berry-like fruits that attract birds and other wildlife to the garden for feeding. While the bitter fruits are inedible for humans, they provide an excellent source of food for songbirds when other food sources are still scarce.

Adaptability

Autumn cherry trees are adaptable and able to tolerate various soil types, including clay, loam and sand. They prefer moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil but will be flexible in less ideal conditions. However, extremely soggy or compacted soil can cause problems.

The Cons

Short Flowering Time

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.

Fruit Litter

If you don’t want to attract birds to your yard, avoid autumn cherry trees. The fruits will litter the ground beneath the tree as they ripen and fall. Since the fruits are bitter and inedible for people, the litter can be a nuisance. Fallen fruits may also stain pavements.

Shallow Roots

Autumn cherry trees tend to develop shallow root systems. This makes them more prone to uprooting from high winds once established. The shallow roots may also interfere with lawns, becoming obstacle that requires avoidancing when mowing.

Susceptibility to Disease

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.

Pest Problems

Birds aren’t the only wildlife attracted to autumn cherry trees. Some common insect pests like aphids, tent caterpillars, and borers may infest the trees and require management. Japanese beetles are also extremely fond of cherry leaves.

Messy Fruit Removal

Pruning out the small fruits after they form prevents litter and staining from dropped fruits. However, this can be a tedious task on a large autumn cherry. Frequent pruning is needed to keep the spent fruits picked off before they fall.

Considerations for Growing Autumn Cherry Trees

Plant in Full Sun

Autumn cherries need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is preferable to encourage flowering. Insufficient sunlight will result in sparse blossoms and weak growth.

Give Them Room

Allow enough space for the 25-35 foot wide canopy to fully develop. Plant trees at least 30 feet apart and avoid tight spaces.

Water Regularly

Supplement rainfall as needed to keep soil moist but not saturated. Drought stress will cause leaf drop and prevent flowering.

Apply Spring Fertilizer

If growth seems slow, fertilize in early spring with a balanced 10-10-10 formula. Avoid over-fertilizing which can harm the tree.

Prune Selectively

Prune only to maintain shape and remove dead/damaged branches. Autumn blooms form on old wood, so avoid heavy pruning.

Monitor for Pests

Inspect trees frequently and treat infestations promptly to prevent major pest damage. Targeted sprays or organic solutions may be needed.

The Bottom Line

For gardens with ample space, autumn cherry trees provide seasonal beauty and wildlife appeal. Their double blooming flowers grace the landscape in spring and fall. However, their brief flowering, fruit litter, and pest susceptibility require some maintenance. Their cultural requirements also limit suitable planting sites. Weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if autumn cherries are the right fit for your particular landscape. With proper care in an appropriate setting, they can become a prized specimen.

How to use Autumn Flowering Cherry in the landscape?

“It’s deja-vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra put it. In early spring, the light pink buds open up to form half-double flowers that cover the thin branches. In summer this magical tree is enveloped in deep green foliage. Then, those soft pink flowers return for an encore in the fall. Who could ask for more? You could. And with this tree, youll get it.

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

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. The shiny little beetles will skeletonize a leaf, which means they will eat almost the whole leaf and only leave the veins behind. You can get rid of Japanese Beetles with a few different brands of insecticides. If you only have a few ones, though, and have some time, you can also get rid of them by hand.

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.

For the first three or four years, giving the tree a dose of tree fertilizer every year will help it grow healthy and strong for the next 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?

About flowering cherry trees They are attractive trees for Maryland landscapes but are subject to problems associated with insect pests, diseases, and weather extremes. Their lifespan ranges from 20-25 years in the typical landscape. Most diseases are favored by wet seasons.

What is the lifespan of an autumn cherry tree?

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?

These trees produce small berries that birds like to eat but humans don’t. Autumn blooming cherry trees are easy to care for, enjoying six hours of direct sunlight and well-drained soil.

How big do autumnalis cherry trees get?

Mature Height: 25 to 35 ft. Mature Spread: 25 to 35 ft.

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.

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 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.

What are the characteristics of autumn blooming cherry?

Autumn Blooming Cherry mature Height is 20-35 feet, Mature Spread 15-25 feet, Mature Form Rounded, Growth Rate Medium, Sun Exposure Full Sun to partial shade, Soil Moisture – Moist, Soil Type Well Drained, Flower Color Pink, Foliage Color Green, Fall Color Yellow, Zones 4 – 8 Autumn Blooming Cherry photos

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