Everything You Need to Know About Pink Weeping Cherry Trees
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Pink weeping cherry trees put on a breathtaking, pastel show in spring, when their elegantly arched branches bloom pale pink flowers. But 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 not high-maintenance in the slightest. Adaptable to a wide range of soil and sunlight, pink weeping cherry trees are hardy and robust.
Pink Weeping Cherry Trees at a Glance
Appearance
Pink weeping cherry trees are striking ornamentals, suited as a focal point due to their delicate, arched branches that create a chandelier or fountain shape. Pale pink blossoms cascade down them in spring. In summer, glossy green leaves emerge, which give way to golden tones in fall. In winter, the bronze bark stands out.
Pink weeping cherry trees grow to be 20-30 feet tall with an equal spread and grow between 1-2 feet per year.
Specifications
|
Appearance |
Cascading, arching branches that are covered with soft pink blooms in spring, which are replaced by glossy green leaves in summer and golden leaves in fall. Bark is bronze and most visible in winter |
|
Height |
20-30 feet |
|
Hardiness Zones |
Zones 4-9 |
|
Type of tree |
Deciduous |
|
Sunlight requirements |
Full sun to partial shade |
|
Soil composition |
Highly adaptable, but prefers loose, well-drained, loamy soil. |
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants grow best, according to minimum winter temperatures. Pink weeping cherry trees grow in Zones 4-9, with a preference for Zones 5-8. Essentially, they are best-suited to most regions other than southern Florida, Texas, and California.
Planting
Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, and has loose, well-drained soil. Pull any weeds and clear away turfgrass and debris. If you plant your pink weeping cherry tree in full shade, it will not grow as well and be susceptible to root rot. Because its branches will weep, avoid planting your pink weeping cherry tree near fences or walls.
Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place your pink weeping cherry tree in the center. Make sure the trunk’s base is level with the surrounding soil. Fill the hole with soil halfway, tamping it down to remove any air pockets. Next, pour water to the top of the hole. Once it 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 of 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 branches after your pink weeping cherry tree in late spring or early summer, once it has finished flowering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do they grow?
They grow about 1-2 feet per year.
How big do they get?
They can reach a maximum height of 30 feet.
When should they be pruned?
If the reason for pruning is dead or diseased branches, they should be pruned as soon as you discover them. However, if you are trimming to achieve or maintain a certain size, prune in late spring or early summer.
Can you plant them close to your house?
You should leave at least 10 feet of space between your pink weeping cherry tree and your home.
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