The Canada Red Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’) is an ornamental tree known for its unique foliage. Its leaves emerge green in spring, then transition to a striking reddish-purple color as the season progresses. This deciduous tree also produces fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by dark purple fruits.
Mature Size and Growth Habits
The Canada Red Chokecherry typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet, with a spread ranging from 15 to 25 feet. This size classifies it as a small to medium-sized tree, often displaying an oval or rounded crown with an upright, spreading habit.
The tree exhibits a moderate to fast growth rate, often growing about 2 feet per year. It is a vigorous grower that establishes quickly, though it takes several years to reach full mature dimensions. Mature size refers to the dimensions the tree reaches when its primary growth phase has largely completed and its growth rate has slowed. This can take 40 years or more under ideal conditions.
Factors Influencing Size
Several environmental conditions and care practices influence the ultimate size a Canada Red Chokecherry will attain. The tree thrives best in full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight daily). While it can tolerate partial shade, insufficient light may lead to reduced growth rates and less vibrant foliage color.
Canada Red Chokecherry prefers well-drained soil that is moist and rich in organic matter. It tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy loam or loam, and a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Consistent water, especially during establishment, supports robust growth. Established trees show some drought tolerance due to their deep root systems.
The tree is adaptable to various climate zones, typically growing well in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 9. Extreme temperatures or prolonged drought without supplemental water can impact its overall health and growth. While environmental factors are significant, the tree’s genetic makeup ultimately sets its potential size range, meaning that even with optimal conditions, it will not exceed its inherent maximum dimensions.
Managing Size Through Pruning
Pruning is a technique for managing the size and maintaining the health of a Canada Red Chokecherry. Homeowners might prune to ensure the tree fits a specific landscape space, to improve its overall shape, or to encourage a denser growth habit. While pruning can control its current dimensions, it cannot alter the tree’s genetic potential for growth.
The optimal time for pruning is during late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, as the tree is dormant and will heal quickly. This timing also minimizes sap bleeding, which can occur if pruned later in spring. For size reduction, techniques like crown reduction pruning involve cutting branches back to a lateral branch that is at least one-third the diameter of the removed limb. This method helps maintain a natural appearance and promotes healthy regrowth, unlike indiscriminate topping, which can harm the tree. Regular removal of suckering shoots at the base is advisable to maintain its tree form.
Practical Planting Considerations
Understanding the mature size of the Canada Red Chokecherry is important for selecting a planting location. Given its typical height of 20-30 feet and spread of 15-25 feet, it requires ample space. It should be planted at least 5 feet away from buildings, fences, or other structures to accommodate its mature spread.
Its size makes it suitable for various landscape roles, such as a specimen tree, a component of a privacy screen, or a small shade tree. Its adaptable nature and moderate size also make it suitable for planting under power lines, where its canopy clearance is generally sufficient. Proper spacing, typically 5 to 8 feet apart for multiple trees, allows each plant enough room to develop fully.