Cherry blossom trees, celebrated for their striking floral displays, often prompt a common question: do they also produce fruit? The answer is nuanced, as “cherry blossom tree” typically refers to varieties cultivated for flowers, distinct from those grown for edible fruit. Understanding these distinctions clarifies their purpose and characteristics.
Ornamental vs. Fruiting Cherry Varieties
The term “cherry blossom tree” primarily encompasses ornamental varieties, distinct from those cultivated for edible fruit. Both types belong to the Prunus genus, which also includes plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds. They have been selectively bred for different primary purposes. Fruiting cherry trees, such as sweet (Prunus avium) and sour (Prunus cerasus) varieties, are grown for fruit yield, size, and flavor. Their blossoms are often less showy, typically white or blush, and last a shorter period before developing into fruit.
Ornamental cherry trees, including popular varieties like Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata), are cultivated for their abundant and visually appealing flowers. Their spectacular blooms range from delicate single petals to dense double flowers, in various shades of pink and white. They are commonly featured in spring festivals, such as those in Washington, D.C., for their floral beauty. While fruiting trees generally grow 15-20 feet tall, ornamental varieties can reach over 30 feet.
The “Fruit” of Ornamental Cherry Trees
Many ornamental cherry trees produce small “fruit,” botanically classified as drupes. These small, often dark-colored cherries, typically 8-10 mm in diameter, appear after blossoms fade. Unlike the large, sweet cherries found in grocery stores, fruit from ornamental varieties is unpalatable to humans due to its bitter or sour taste and minimal flesh. Some ornamental varieties, such as the ‘Kanzan’ cherry, are sterile and produce no fruit, or only drupelets without viable seeds.
Despite being unsuitable for human consumption, these small drupes serve as an important food source for birds and other wildlife. The fruit indicates the tree’s natural reproductive function, even if de-emphasized through selective breeding. Seeds within these small fruits, like those in other Prunus species, contain compounds that can release cyanide when metabolized.
Breeding and Purpose
The differences between ornamental and fruiting cherry trees are a direct result of selective breeding. Horticulturalists have intentionally developed these distinct types to emphasize specific traits. Ornamental cherry trees are bred for abundant, showy blossoms, often with more petals, longer blooming periods, or specific tree shapes and attractive fall foliage. This focus on floral display redirects resources from fruit development towards flower production.
Fruiting cherry trees, in contrast, are selectively bred to maximize fruit yield, size, flavor, and disease resistance. This breeding prioritizes large, sweet, or tart cherries for fresh consumption or culinary uses. These contrasting purposes highlight human intervention in shaping tree characteristics: one for aesthetic appeal, the other for agricultural productivity.