What are some of varieties of cherry trees?
There are many different kinds of cherry trees all under the Latin genus ‘Prunus’. Some of the more common cherry trees you will find at your local nursery are Kwanzan Cherry, Yoshino Flowering Cherry, Weeping Cherry and regular edible fruit bearing Cherry trees, whether Bing or Sour. Did you know that Plum trees and Almond Trees are also in the Cherry family? And there’s also a Cherry shrub known as a Sand Cherry that many people own and looks great with it’s purple foliage. Don’t forget about Wild Cherry trees found growing pretty much anywhere, hence the “Wild.”
What are the benefits of Cherry Trees?
Benefits include obviously the edible fruit which we all love from May thru July in the 2 main varieties of Bing and Rainier, but as far as your landscape is concerned, it’s all about the flowers. Cherry trees are so beautiful in spring that most people will overlook the “issues” they have. The stark beauty of the huge flowers whether white or Kwanzan pink is gorgeous. The Cherry Blossom Festival they have in Washington DC most famously in spring is because it's a sea of beautiful flowers. And if it’s a Purple Leaf Plum tree, the flowers are beautiful and the foliage is as well. That’s a dynamic duo.
Why are Cherry Trees not a good landscape tree?
I know what I’m going to say is disheartening and I’ve gotten so many groans from my customers when I tell them about all the issues of cherries, but I can’t ignore those issues. Yes, they are beautiful, BUT Cherry trees are susceptible to so many problems. Borer insects, Scale insects and Japanese Beetles are HUGE issues with Cherry trees of all kinds. Diseases such as Bleeding Canker are also a big problem and finally, Cherry trees are prone to girdling roots. Girdling roots encircle the root system and gradually choke out the tree, similar to a root bound potted plant. All these things shorten the life of your beautiful tree. I’ll also go as far to say that the flowers generally last for a very short time then make a huge mess in your yards. Wild Cherries have their issues, one being that they’re are poisonous to Horses and many times seem to grow by horse paddocks and the smell of Wild Cherries is very distinctive as it smells like arsenic. All this being said, I NEVER recommend that anyone plants a Cherry tree of any kind…sorry about that doom and gloom.
What can I plant instead of a Cherry?
There are several trees you can plant instead of a Cherries. Kousa Dogwoods are great trouble-free trees. Crape Myrtles are also great trees and much hardier than when it was colder here in NJ and PA, but winters are warmer than in the past. Redbuds are fantastic as well. Larger trees such as Sugar and Red Maples as well as White and Willow Oaks are also great. Good luck in your search.
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