A weeping cherry tree, typically a cultivar of the Prunus species, is prized for its dramatic, cascading form and profuse spring blossoms. This ornamental tree serves as an elegant focal point in the landscape, offering white or pink flowers before its leaves emerge in the spring. Successfully acquiring and establishing one requires understanding how they are sold, knowing what constitutes a healthy specimen, and following specific planting steps. This guide provides the necessary information to locate, purchase, and ensure the successful establishment of your weeping cherry tree.
Retail Options for Purchasing
Your choice of retailer directly affects the selection, price, and health of the tree you purchase. Local nurseries and specialized garden centers often provide the highest quality stock, tended by staff with local horticultural expertise. These businesses typically focus on plants adapted to the regional climate and provide personalized advice on soil conditions and pest management. While the purchase price might be higher, the investment often results in a healthier, more resilient tree that establishes quickly.
Big box stores and mass retailers offer convenience and generally lower price points. However, the quality of plant care at these locations can be inconsistent, as stock is often shipped in bulk and may not receive specialized attention. This can lead to buying a stressed or unhealthy plant. Furthermore, the selection is frequently limited to the most common cultivars.
Online specialty growers provide the widest selection of cultivars, including rare or unique varieties. They often ship the trees directly to your door, offering significant convenience, especially for bare-root stock. The main drawback is the inability to physically inspect the tree before it arrives, and the tree may experience stress during shipping. When using online retailers, research the company’s reputation and guarantee policies to ensure the quality of the delivered specimen.
Understanding Tree Forms and Optimal Timing
Weeping cherry trees are sold in three principal forms, each affecting the cost, handling, and planting time. Bare-root trees are sold dormant, without soil around the root system, typically from late fall through early spring. This method is the least expensive and easiest to transport, and the absence of soil allows for easy inspection of the root structure. Bare-root stock must be planted during its narrow dormant window, before the tree breaks dormancy.
Container-grown trees are cultivated in pots and are the most common form available year-round. They retain their entire root system during transplantation, which minimizes transplant shock and allows for flexible planting outside of traditional spring and fall windows. A potential issue is circling roots, where the roots grow in a tight spiral if the tree has been containerized for too long. This requires correction before planting to prevent the roots from girdling the tree later.
Balled and Burlapped (B&B) trees are field-grown, dug up with a large ball of native soil wrapped in burlap and twine. B&B trees are generally the most mature and largest size available, providing an instant impact in the landscape. Due to the heavy soil ball, these specimens are more difficult to handle and transport, often requiring machinery for installation. Digging B&B trees severs a significant portion of the root system, meaning they may experience a longer re-establishment period compared to container-grown trees.
The optimal time to purchase and plant a weeping cherry tree is in the fall or very early spring while the tree is dormant. Planting during these cooler seasons minimizes stress, allowing the roots to establish before the demands of summer heat or spring leaf production begin.
Selecting a Healthy Specimen
A careful physical inspection is necessary to ensure you are purchasing a healthy tree that will thrive. Examine the trunk and branches for a smooth, uniform bark texture, looking for visible damage, cracks, or excessive oozing sap, which can indicate disease or injury. The weeping cherry is typically a grafted tree, meaning the desirable weeping canopy (scion) is joined to a vigorous root system (rootstock). The graft union, often a noticeable bulge several feet above the ground, should be clean, fully healed, and solid.
Pay close attention to the area around the graft union. Any upright growth originating below this point is growth from the rootstock and must be removed. These suckers will not develop the desired weeping habit and will divert resources away from the ornamental top. If the tree is in a container, gently inspect the root ball; roots should not be overly dense, tightly circling the pot, or soft and dark, which suggests poor drainage or root rot. During the growing season, healthy foliage should be a vibrant green without discoloration, spots, or wilting.
Essential Steps for Successful Planting
Preparation of the planting site is the first step toward successful establishment. The location requires full sun, defined as six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil must be well-drained, as cherry trees are susceptible to root rot if left sitting in standing water. The planting hole should be dug two to three times the width of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself.
The goal during planting is to ensure the root flare—the point where the trunk widens at the base—is visible and slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting the tree too deeply is a common error that can suffocate the root system. After positioning the tree, backfill the hole with the native soil, gently tamping it down to eliminate air pockets around the roots.
Immediately after planting, the tree requires a thorough watering to settle the soil around the root system. A generous layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark, should be applied in a wide ring around the base. This mulch layer, ideally two to four inches deep, helps to conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress competing weeds. Keep the mulch material a few inches away from the trunk itself to prevent moisture buildup and potential bark decay.