A weeping cherry tree, often classified as Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’, is known for its distinctive, graceful form. Its branches cascade towards the ground, creating a dramatic silhouette, particularly in winter. This tree is most celebrated for the spectacular display of pale pink or white blossoms that completely cover its branches in early spring. The stunning bloom makes the weeping cherry a popular choice for gardens and parks. Given its botanical relationship to fruit-bearing cherries, many people wonder if this ornamental tree also produces edible fruit. Answering this requires understanding the difference between flowering trees and those grown for commercial harvest.
The Primary Focus of Ornamental Cherry Cultivation
Ornamental cherries are the result of horticultural breeding that prioritizes aesthetic traits over fruit yield or quality. Cultivars like the weeping cherry are developed to maximize visual appeal, focusing on flower size, color intensity, bloom duration, and the unique weeping structure. This selective breeding favors showy flowers over the reproductive outcomes that lead to large fruit. Ornamental varieties differ starkly from commercial fruiting cherry varieties, such as sweet or sour cherries, which are cultivated to produce large quantities of flavorful fruit. The energy allocation within the ornamental tree is heavily skewed toward producing a profusion of blossoms, not developing the robust ovaries needed for a heavy fruit set. Some ornamental types have been bred to have “double flowers,” where reproductive stamens and pistils are replaced by extra petals, which physically prevents fruit development.
Fruit Production in Weeping Cherry Trees
Weeping cherry trees are capable of producing fruit, though the yield is typically sparse and inconsistent. Most ornamental cherries retain the genetic ability to form fruit after pollination, unlike some sterile hybrid plants, but various factors limit this outcome. When fruit does appear, it is often due to varieties that have single or semi-double flowers, which possess the necessary functional reproductive parts. Low production is partly due to the plant’s energy being diverted to its massive floral display, leaving less resource for fruit maturation. Furthermore, a failure to set fruit can be attributed to low pollination rates, as some ornamental varieties may not be effectively self-pollinating.
Appearance and Edibility of the Small Cherries
When the weeping cherry produces fruit, it forms tiny, ovoid drupes that appear in summer. These small cherries are about one-third of an inch in diameter, making them significantly smaller than commercial varieties. They start reddish and mature to a black or dark purple hue. These fruits are considered safe for human consumption as they belong to the Prunus genus, but they are unpalatable. The taste is typically sour or bitter, often containing a disproportionately large seed compared to the small amount of flesh. Birds are the primary consumers of these small, tart fruits.