The answer to whether all cherry trees blossom is yes. Every tree belonging to the Prunus genus, which includes all cherries, is biologically capable of producing flowers. As an angiosperm, or flowering plant, its reproductive strategy relies entirely on flower production. The common confusion arises not from the tree’s biological potential, but from the selective breeding that has created a vast difference between trees grown for fruit and those grown for aesthetic display. External factors, such as age, climate, and maintenance, also play a significant role in determining how abundantly a cherry tree will bloom in any given year.
Flowering is Essential to the Cherry Tree Life Cycle
Cherry trees are seed-producing plants that reproduce through flowers. The flower is the reproductive structure, containing the necessary male and female parts. The process begins with the transition of a vegetative bud into a flower bud, called flower induction, which typically occurs the summer before the spring bloom.
The goal of flowering is pollination, which leads to fertilization and the development of fruit containing the seed. If the tree does not flower, it halts its sexual reproductive cycle. Every healthy cherry tree must produce blossoms to fulfill its genetic programming. The time the blossoms are visible, often lasting only one to two weeks, is a concentrated period for the tree to complete its pollination and fruit-setting process.
The eventual fruit, whether a small, ornamental drupelet or a plump, edible cherry, is the matured ovary of the flower that protects the seed. A healthy, mature tree channels energy and nutrients to ensure this transformation happens successfully each season. This cycle is fundamental for the species’ survival.
The Difference Between Fruiting and Ornamental Varieties
The primary source of confusion lies in the distinction between fruiting varieties, grown for harvest, and ornamental varieties, grown purely for visual impact. Both types are members of the Prunus genus, but selective breeding has led to different priorities.
Fruiting varieties, such as ‘Bing’ or ‘Rainier,’ are cultivated to maximize fruit quality, flavor, and yield. Their flowers are typically white and less dense, serving primarily as the necessary precursor to the desired crop.
Ornamental varieties, like ‘Yoshino’ or ‘Kwanzan,’ have been bred to produce an overwhelming display of blossoms. Breeders focused on flower density, size, color (ranging from white to deep pink), and bloom duration, often at the expense of fruit quality. These trees often produce small, unpalatable fruit that is sometimes sterile.
Even when ornamental cultivars are modified to produce sterile fruit, they still produce flowers to attract pollinators. Both types are fundamentally flowering plants; the key distinction is that one prioritizes the development of the fruit structure while the other prioritizes the flower display.
Common Reasons for Lack of Blossoming
While all cherry trees are designed to blossom, various external factors can prevent a tree from producing a display. One common reason is the tree’s age, as young trees must reach sexual maturity before they can begin to flower. Fruiting cherry trees typically take four to seven years after planting to begin bearing a significant crop, though ornamental varieties may begin flowering as early as two to four years.
Another factor is the chilling hour requirement, the necessary period of cold temperatures during winter dormancy. Cherry trees require a specific number of hours below 45°F (7.2°C) to properly break dormancy and prepare their flower buds for spring. Sweet cherry varieties often require between 700 to 800 chilling hours. If the winter is too mild, the flower buds will not develop uniformly, leading to delayed, uneven, or absent blooming.
Improper pruning can also remove the potential for the next season’s flowers. Flower buds for the spring bloom are formed on wood from the previous year’s growth, and removing too much of this wood during the dormant season will eliminate the developing buds.
Environmental stress, such as a late frost after the buds have begun to swell, can kill the delicate flower parts, resulting in a sudden failure to bloom. Trees weakened by nutrient deficiencies, pests, or diseases may also redirect their limited energy away from flower production toward survival.