QA

Question: How To Plant Weeping Cherry Tree

When should I plant a weeping cherry tree?

The weeping tree is best planted in the spring season. Though you can plant it nearly any time of the year, those planted in the spring bloom at the right time. The weeping cherry tree does well in USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 8.

How do you plant a cherry weeping tree?

You should plant weeping cherries in a hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Also, when you set the tree in the hole, lay a yardstick or tool handle across it to make sure the base of the trunk is level with the surrounding soil. Don’t add soil amendments to the hole or the backfill dirt.

How much room do you need for a weeping cherry tree?

Space. These ornamental trees need 4 to 6 feet of clear space around the trunk. This allows the branches to move freely and eliminates competition for soil nutrients. Provide good air circulation around the plant to keep the blossoms and leaves dry, which prevents water-borne plant diseases.

What kind of soil does a weeping cherry tree need?

Weeping cherry prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Keep it watered during dry spells and lay a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree (but 6 inches away from the base) to help the soil retain moisture.

How often should I water my newly planted weeping cherry tree?

Watering. A weeping cherry tree should be watered two or three times a week during the first year it’s planted. Afterward, it should only be watered when the top three inches of soil are dry. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Do weeping cherry trees need a lot of water?

Water the tree — up to 84 gallons of water — once per week during dry periods. While weeping cherry trees don’t perform well in wet conditions, they need water to grow and bloom properly, especially in sandy soils.

How do you care for a newly planted cherry tree?

After planting, watering cherry trees properly their first year is extremely important. They should be watered the first week every other day, deeply; the second week they can be watered deeply two to three times; and after the second week, water cherry trees thoroughly once a week for the rest of the first season.

How long does it take for a weeping cherry tree to mature?

Weeping cherry trees grow quickly during the spring and summer months, and after a few years, a young tree can reach heights of over 10-feet. Give it a few more years, and you’ll have to deal with a 25-foot monster that’s challenging to cut back. Pruning helps you to keep your weeping cherry tree under control.

Are weeping cherry tree roots invasive?

As an ornamental variety of tree, the weeping cherry has a nonaggressive root system. These characteristics make the weeping cherry a good choice of tree for planting near a septic system. Even with the best choice of tree, it is important to remember to plant the tree a distance equal to the height of the tree.

What is the prettiest cherry tree?

Regarded as one of the most attractive of the early-flowering ornamental cherries, award-winning Prunus ‘Accolade’ is a small deciduous tree of spreading habit. Opening from dark pink buds, profuse semi-double, shell pink flowers held in drooping clusters appear in early to mid spring.

Will weeping cherry trees grow in clay soil?

Clay soil can work to weeping cherry’s advantage because of the soil’s tendency to retain water, which can be critical in dry climates or during dry periods of the growing season. Weeping cherry trees planted in sandy soils will require frequent irrigation as water tends to drain away quickly in this type of soil.

What is the best fertilizer for cherry blossom trees?

Cherry trees are light feeders and prefer a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or 10-15-15. Take care not to over-fertilize, or you may produce a tree that is unbalanced, which can affect fruit production and leave the tree susceptible to pests and disease.

How long do weeping cherries live?

Life Span of Weeping Cherry Most weeping cherry trees will only live for about 10 to 20 years in North America, even when they receive the best care. However, when they’re grown in Japan where the climate is similar to the tree’s native China, weeping cherry trees have been known to live for hundreds of years.

Why is my weeping cherry not growing?

Assess for Drought and Dry Soil If you find that your weeping cherry is showing signs of wilt or dropping leaves, it may just need water. Drought and dry soil can also make the tree more susceptible to pests and keep it from producing new growth. Irrigate your weeping cherry tree more often if dry conditions exist.

Are weeping cherry trees poisonous to dogs?

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA, the stems, leaves and seeds of the weeping cherry are poisonous to dogs. Dogs that consume parts of this tree will experience vomiting, diarrhea, panting and possible seizures.