Cherry blossom trees, belonging to the genus Prunus, are renowned globally for their spectacular, brief floral displays that announce the arrival of spring. These ornamental trees are cultivated for aesthetic beauty, not fruit production, and present distinct visual characteristics across the seasons. Understanding the physical features of the trunk, branches, blossoms, foliage, and fruit allows for a detailed appreciation of these iconic trees throughout the year.
Identifying Characteristics of the Trunk and Branches
The bark of a cherry blossom tree provides a reliable point of identification, even when the tree is dormant. The young bark is typically smooth, ranging from a gray-brown to a reddish-brown hue. As the tree matures, the surface often develops a papery texture, but it retains a distinct pattern.
A signature feature is the presence of prominent horizontal lines, known as lenticels. These raised bands function as pores for gas exchange, appearing as distinct striations wrapped around the trunk and older branches. The overall silhouette varies by type, but many common cultivars develop a graceful, vase-shaped or rounded canopy. Others, such as Weeping Cherry varieties, are recognizable by branches that cascade dramatically toward the ground.
The Appearance of the Blossoms
The flowers are the tree’s most celebrated feature, typically appearing in spring before or simultaneously with the leaves. Cherry blossoms are characterized by their arrangement in small clusters called umbels, where multiple flowers emerge from a single point on the branch. Each individual flower generally has five petals, and a key identifying detail is the small notch or cleft visible at the tip of each petal.
The color spectrum is broad, ranging from pure white to various shades of pink, with some less common cultivars displaying yellowish or greenish tones. Many varieties exhibit a subtle color transition, such as opening from a deep pink bud to a lighter pink or nearly white bloom. The overall visual effect of a fully bloomed canopy is a dense, cloud-like mass of color.
Single vs. Double Flowers
A significant difference is seen between single-flowered and double-flowered varieties. Single flowers have the standard five petals, offering a delicate, ephemeral look. Double-flowered types possess numerous petals, sometimes 10 to over 100, creating a dense, pompom-like structure. These double blossoms provide a heavier texture and a much longer-lasting display.
Foliage, Fruit, and Post-Bloom Appearance
After the spectacular display of blossoms fades, usually within two weeks, the tree’s foliage begins to dominate its appearance. The leaves are typically oval to elliptical in shape, coming to a sharp point at the tip. They are defined by their finely serrated, or toothed, margins along the edges. When the leaves first emerge, they often display bronze, reddish, or coppery tones, which can provide an attractive contrast to the late-blooming flowers. As the season progresses, the leaves mature into a glossy, medium-green shade for the summer.
Ornamental cherry blossom trees do produce fruit, but these small, round, dark objects are technically drupes, not the large, edible cherries found in grocery stores. These small cherries are generally bitter, rarely exceeding three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and are often quickly consumed by birds or drop unnoticed.
As the weather cools in autumn, the foliage contributes a final visual flourish before the tree enters dormancy. The leaves of most ornamental cherry trees transition to warm hues of yellow, orange, or deep red. This vibrant fall color provides a final decorative aspect before the leaves drop, leaving the bare branches and distinctive lenticel-marked bark for the winter months.
Visual Differences Among Common Species
The term “cherry blossom tree” encompasses a wide range of species and cultivars, each with unique visual characteristics.
Yoshino Cherry
The Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is one of the most widely planted types, known for its elegant, spreading, vase-like form. Its blossoms are typically a pale pink, appearing almost white from a distance. Their single, five-petaled structure creates a light, airy cloud effect that precedes the emergence of its leaves.
Kwanzan Cherry
In contrast, the Kwanzan cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) is recognized for its bolder presentation and upright, often stiff, branching habit. The Kwanzan’s large, dense clusters of double flowers are a vibrant, deep pink color, resembling miniature carnations. Its leaves often emerge with a coppery-bronze tint, which contrasts with the deep pink flowers as the tree blooms later in the season than the Yoshino.
Weeping Cherry
A third major group is the Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella varieties), which sets itself apart with dramatic, pendulous branches. These trees can feature either single or semi-double flowers in shades of pink or white, but the unique, cascading growth habit is its primary identifier.