Planting a cherry tree is an amazing experience. You dive right into its life cycle, observe it growing, and feel connected to nature. After you plant the tree, you nurture it until it bears fruit. Then, you enjoy your own fresh cherries! Cherry trees have beautiful blossoms in spring, lush green leaves in summer, and gorgeous red or purple fruits in autumn. They are known to thrive in gardens and parks as a single specimen or in clusters of three or more trees called a ‘chapel’. A cherry tree can thrive almost anywhere with soil that drains well but isn’t too acidic. It’s best to plant your new seedling around mid-March when the risk of frost has passed but the ground still remains cool. Read on to learn more about planting a cherry tree and what conditions they need to thrive…
Why Plant A Cherry Tree?
Cherry trees are an excellent choice for a home garden because they produce beautiful flowers and fruit, they attract birds and other wildlife, they are easy to grow, they are drought-tolerant, and they don’t need much maintenance. Cherry trees also have a long growing season, which means they can be an annual source of fresh fruit — beginning in June and lasting through August. You can also use cherry trees to create a beautiful garden feature. In fact, the Japanese have been using cherry trees to create stunning gardens and parks since the 12th century. Today, the loveliness of cherry blossoms is well-known across the globe. Cherry trees are also known for being extremely hardy and easy to grow. They can survive in a variety of soil types, climates, and soil drainage conditions. You can choose from a wide variety of different cherry tree species, cultivars, and hybrids.
Types of Cherry Trees
Cherry trees fall under the Prunus genus and are related to almonds, apricots, peaches, and plums. They are highly adaptable and can be found growing in many environments. The flowering cherry tree is one of the most iconic cherry tree varieties. It’s known for its gorgeous pink and white flowers that appear in spring and are highly fragrant. The blossoms are very delicate and last for only a few days. Sakura cherry trees are a type of flowering cherry tree that is native to Japan and is often used for ornamental purposes. They are known for producing pink or white flowers that bloom in spring and resemble tiny paper cranes.
When To Plant A Cherry Tree
Plant your cherry tree any time between October and March, but avoid the coldest and hottest months. If you plant your cherry tree too early, it could get damaged from frost. If you plant your cherry tree too late, it could miss out on critical growing time. You can determine when to plant your cherry tree by checking your local weather forecast and soil temperatures. Cold soil can damage the roots of your cherry tree, so you don’t want to plant it too early. Once the soil has warmed up, it’s safe to plant your cherry tree.
Tips For Planting A Cherry Tree
Cherry trees thrive in loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Add compost or manure to your soil before planting your cherry tree. Dig a hole twice as wide as the roots of your cherry tree and about the same depth. Mix the soil from the bottom of the hole with some soil from the top of the hole. Place your cherry tree in the hole and backfill the soil around its roots. Pack the soil down so that it’s firm around the roots. Water your cherry tree generously so that the water flows out of the bottom of the hole. You can also add a bit of fertilizer to the soil before planting your cherry tree.
Conclusion
Cherry trees thrive in loamy soil that is slightly acidic. You can determine when to plant your cherry tree by checking your local weather forecast and soil temperatures. Plant it in one of the three months after the last frost of the season. Cherry trees also prefer full sun and well-drained soil. If your soil isn’t well-drained, you can add sand or gravel to the bottom of the planting hole to improve drainage. If you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain, you may want to plant your cherry tree in a raised bed or add a thick layer of mulch around the base to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
