Everything You Need To Know about Pink Weeping Cherry Trees

Pink weeping cherry trees put on a breathtaking pastel show in spring, when their elegantly arched branches bloom with pale pink flowers. But their beauty extends far beyond a single season. This graceful fountain-shaped tree provides year-round visual interest, with glossy green leaves in summer, golden leaves in autumn, and bronze bark in winter.

Best of all, these stunning ornamental trees are surprisingly adaptable and easy to care for. Our guide will walk you through the specifics of planting and caring for a pink weeping cherry in your yard.

Pink Weeping Cherry Trees at a Glance

• Stunning, compact ornamental tree
• Low-maintenance and highly adaptable to different soils
• Year-round interest
• Drought-tolerant
• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Small, sour berries that are inedible to humans

Appearance

Pink weeping cherry trees are fountain-shaped ornamentals often used as a focal point. In the spring, pale pink blossoms cascade down their delicate, arched branches like a fountain of flowers

Glossy green lanceolate leaves emerge after the flowers fade, providing a lush summer canopy that gives way to golden tones in fall. Even in winter, the smooth, bronze bark stands out beautifully.

Pink weeping cherry trees typically reach a mature height of 20–30 feet with an equal spread. Their compact size makes them the perfect trees for a small yard. They grow 1–2 feet per year on average, particularly in the first few years after planting.

Pink Weeping Cherry Tree Specifications

A pink weeping cherry tree can adapt to a wide variety of climates. Keep these details in mind when planting:

Hardiness Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants grow best, according to minimum winter temperatures. Pink weeping cherry trees can grow in Zones 4–9, which cover most of the continental United States. However, they do best in the milder temperatures of Zones 5–8. These trees are not suitable for the northernmost parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota or the hottest parts of California, Texas, and Florida.

Planting

The best time to plant a pink weeping cherry tree is in the early spring or fall. We recommend early spring, when the soil starts warming up, for colder climates and bare-root trees. For milder climates, you can plant in the fall, before the ground freezes. Avoid planting during the hot summer months, and follow these steps:

• Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, and has loose, well-drained soil. If you plant your pink weeping cherry tree in full shade, it will not grow as well and will be susceptible to root rot.
• Pull any weeds and clear away turfgrass and debris.
• Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
• Place your pink weeping cherry tree in the center of the hole. Make sure the trunk’s base is level with the surrounding soil.
• Fill the hole halfway with soil, tamping it down to remove any air pockets.
• Pour water to the top of the hole.
• Once the water drains completely, fill the rest of the hole with soil.

Growing Conditions

Despite their delicate appearance, pink weeping willow trees are hardy and low-maintenance.

• Sun and Shade: Pink weeping cherry trees thrive in full sun—at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day—but can also grow in partial shade. However, the greater the amount of shade, the less profuse the blooms in spring.
• Soil: Pink weeping cherry trees are highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but they flourish in loose, well-drained, loamy soil.
• Watering: For the first year after planting, water your pink weeping cherry tree deeply twice a week. After that, you will only need to water during dry spells and very high temperatures. You can help retain soil moisture by laying a 3-inch layer of mulch on the surrounding soil, making sure it’s at least 6 inches from the base of the trunk.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, you can feed your tree with a slow-release fertilizer when new leaves begin budding.
• Pruning: You rarely need to prune your tree, unless you want to control and maintain its size, or it has dead or diseased branches—which you should cut immediately. For aesthetic purposes, prune your pink weeping cherry tree in late spring or early summer, once it has finished flowering.

Our Conclusion

With timely planting and proper care, pink weeping cherry trees can grow almost anywhere in the U.S. Whether you have a spacious yard or a compact garden, a pink weeping cherry tree will bring a touch of enchantment and year-round interest to your outdoor space.

FAQ About Pink Weeping Cherry Trees