QA

Question: How To Plant A Weeping Cherry 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.

Where should I plant a weeping cherry tree?

Planting. Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, and has loose, well-drained soil. Pull any weeds and clear away turfgrass and debris. If you plant your pink weeping cherry tree in full shade, it will not grow as well and be susceptible to root rot.

What is the best time to 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.

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 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.

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.

How do you care for a weeping cherry tree?

Prune the weeping cherry to remove infected areas and to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration to help it resist infection. Keep the area around the tree free of plant debris where fungal spores may lurk. Avoid overhead watering and use a protective fungicide before rainfall.

How often should you water a 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.

What is the best fertilizer for weeping cherry trees?

Fertilize the tree with a slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as new leaves begin to bud. One of the best slow-release fertilizers is compost, but you can also use commercial products labeled for flowering trees and shrubs.

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.

Do weeping cherry trees make a mess?

Like their larger cousins, these plants usually grow quickly and produce large numbers of sweet-smelling, showy blossoms in spring. Because dwarf weeping cherry trees are extremely compact and lack messy fruit, they make a smart choice for small yards, but they need some some special care to keep them in good health.

Should you trim a weeping cherry tree?

A properly trimmed weeping cherry tree will retain its weeping shape and provide lasting beauty in your yard if pruned annually. Branches that grow rapidly can be pruned so that the branches that touch the ground keep that naturally weeping shape.

Can you grow cherry blossom trees in pots?

Potted cherry trees do very well provided you have a container that is large enough for them, a pollinating cherry buddy if your variety isn’t self-pollinating, and have selected a variety that is most suited to your region.

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 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.

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.

Does a weeping cherry tree bear fruit?

Unlike other varieties of cherry tree, the fruit of the pink weeping cherry tree is generally considered to be inedible due to both its small size and its intense sourness. That said, birds love the fruit and by landing on the tree to eat, help to spread its pollen and seeds wherever they fly.