The Weeping Yoshino Cherry tree, a cultivar of Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare Yoshino’, offers a breathtaking display with its graceful, cascading branches and abundant spring blooms. These ornamental trees are renowned for their delicate pale pink to white blossoms that emerge in early to mid-spring, creating a cloud-like effect. Their elegant structure and weeping form provide visual interest throughout the year, with green summer foliage transitioning to warm yellow tones in the fall.
Planting Your Weeping Yoshino Cherry
Establishing a healthy Weeping Yoshino Cherry tree begins with careful site selection. These trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and abundant flowering. While they can tolerate partial shade, insufficient sunlight may result in reduced blooming. The ideal planting location should also offer well-draining soil, as these trees do not tolerate waterlogged conditions which can lead to root rot.
Before planting, ensure the soil is loose and well-draining, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is heavy clay, amending it with organic matter can significantly improve drainage and structure. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the tree’s root ball, but not deeper than the root ball itself, to prevent the tree from settling too deep. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding ground to ensure the root flare remains exposed.
Carefully place the tree in the prepared hole, ensuring the root ball is intact. Backfill the hole with native soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil and provide initial moisture. Staking may be necessary for newly planted trees, especially if bare-root or in windy locations, to provide stability until the root system is established.
Routine Care and Maintenance
Consistent watering is important for a thriving Weeping Yoshino Cherry, particularly during its establishment phase. For the first growing season, water deeply and regularly, typically two to three times a week, to encourage robust root system development. Mature trees become more drought-tolerant but benefit from supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Deep, infrequent watering promotes deeper root growth and better drought resilience.
Fertilization supports healthy growth and abundant flowering. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins, to provide essential nutrients. An NPK ratio such as 10-10-10 or 12-6-6 is suitable for ornamental trees. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the tree, avoiding direct contact with the trunk, and water thoroughly afterward.
Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperature. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips or shredded leaves, 2 to 4 inches thick around the base of the tree. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to rot and pest problems.
Pruning Techniques
Pruning a Weeping Yoshino Cherry tree is best done in late winter or early spring, while the tree is dormant and before new growth or blossoms appear. Pruning during dormancy minimizes stress on the tree and allows for clearer visibility of its structure. Fall after leaf drop is another suitable time, provided the wood is not frozen.
The primary reasons for pruning include maintaining the characteristic weeping form, promoting overall tree health, and removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Removing crossing branches is important as they can rub against each other, creating wounds that invite pests and diseases. When pruning, aim to enhance the graceful, cascading shape, allowing branches to trail near the ground without touching it.
Specific techniques involve making clean cuts to an outward-facing bud or branch to encourage growth away from the tree’s center. Remove any suckers that emerge from the rootstock below the graft union, as these grow straight upwards and detract from the weeping form. Use sharp, clean pruning shears or loppers appropriate for the branch size to ensure precise cuts and minimize damage. Minimal pruning is often needed once the tree is established, focusing on selective thinning to improve air circulation within the canopy.
Pest and Disease Management
Weeping Yoshino Cherry trees can encounter common pests and diseases, which require timely identification and management.
Aphids
Aphids, particularly black cherry aphids, feed on the sap of new growth, causing leaves to curl and distort. These tiny insects can also excrete honeydew, which may lead to black sooty mold. A strong stream of water can dislodge aphids, or insecticidal soap and neem oil can be applied for stubborn infestations. Encouraging natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings can also help control aphid populations.
Borers
Borers, such as peachtree borers and shothole borers, can damage cherry trees by tunneling under the bark. Signs of borer activity include gummy sap oozing from small holes in the trunk. Maintaining tree health with proper watering and fertilization can help prevent infestations, as stressed trees are more susceptible. For established infestations, insecticide applications to the trunk are sometimes necessary, timed to target young larvae. Removing and destroying infested wood can also help.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, appears as a white, powdery substance on leaves and shoots, potentially causing distortion. This disease thrives in humid conditions with warm days and cool nights. Prevention strategies include ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing and pruning, and watering at the base of the tree rather than overhead. Fungicides can be applied at the first signs of the disease, and removing infected leaves and debris can reduce its spread.
Winter Preparation
Preparing your Weeping Yoshino Cherry tree for the colder months helps ensure its health and survival through dormancy. Adequate watering before the first hard freeze is beneficial, especially if the fall has been dry. Ensuring the tree is well-hydrated going into winter helps prevent desiccation of branches and roots.
Applying a protective layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree provides insulation for the root system, helping to regulate soil temperature and protect roots from extreme cold and frost heave. Remember to keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture accumulation.
For young trees, additional protection from harsh winter elements may be necessary. Wrapping the trunk with burlap or a tree guard can prevent sunscald, which occurs when fluctuating winter temperatures cause bark to crack. In areas with heavy snow, gently remove excess snow from branches to prevent breakage. Protecting young trees from animal damage, such as gnawing by rodents or deer, can also be achieved with tree guards or fencing.