Cherry blossom trees are globally admired for their stunning floral displays, often leading to a common misconception about their foliage. The direct answer is yes, cherry blossom trees do have leaves. During peak bloom, the spectacular profusion of flowers often overshadows any green, but leaves are an integral part of their life cycle. These trees are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves annually in autumn and regrow them each spring.
The Seasonal Unfolding
The perception that cherry blossom trees lack leaves stems from their unique seasonal progression, known as phenology. Most ornamental cherry varieties bloom with flowers emerging either before or concurrently with the leaves, making blossoms the dominant feature. For popular varieties like the ‘Somei Yoshino’ cherry, flowers typically bloom and fall within about a week, often before leaves fully emerge. This intense flowering creates a visually striking effect, as the tree appears almost entirely covered in delicate petals with minimal green foliage.
Leaf emergence timing varies among cherry tree varieties. Early-blooming types often display flowers weeks ahead of the first leaves, creating a homogeneous, flower-only appearance during peak bloom. Later-blooming cherry trees may have leaves appear before or at the same time as blossoms, resulting in a mixed appearance of flowers and emerging foliage. The tree’s annual cycle involves flower bud formation in the previous summer, dormancy through winter, and then awakening to bloom as temperatures rise in spring, followed by or alongside leaf development.
Characteristics of Cherry Blossom Leaves
Once fully developed, cherry blossom leaves support the tree’s health and growth. Leaves are typically green, though initial emergence can show coppery-bronze or reddish hues before maturing. For instance, the ‘Somei Yoshino’ cherry, known for its white blooms, produces glossy green leaves in summer. Cherry leaves are generally oval or elliptical, characterized by serrated edges, meaning they have small, tooth-like indentations along their margins.
Leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) for energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Chlorophyll, the green pigment within leaves, absorbs light energy, enabling this food-making process. After flowering concludes, the tree relies on its leaves to produce energy reserves for continued growth throughout spring and summer, and to support flower bud development for the following year’s bloom. As autumn approaches, these leaves often transform into vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red before falling, contributing to the tree’s multi-season appeal.