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Daniel Atha, no rights reserved (CC0) · iNaturalist
Prunus yedoensis
Yoshino flowering cherry
Hybrid first described from cultivated trees in Tokyo, Japan; parentage uncertain — likely {P. speciosa} × {P. subhirtella} or {P. spachiana}; not known in the wild
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Overview
Prunus × yedoensis is Yoshino flowering cherry (Yoshino cherry), a spreading deciduous tree growing 25-40 feet (7.5-12 m) tall and 25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m) wide with arching branches. Pale pink single 5-petaled flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) fading to near-white, in clusters of 5-6 along the branches before leaves emerge in March-April. Lightly fragrant (almond scent). Dark green ovate to elliptic finely serrated leaves 2-5 inches (5-13 cm). Turns yellow to orange in fall. Smooth gray bark with horizontal lenticels. In Rosaceae. A hybrid first described from cultivated trees in Tokyo — not known in the wild. The species planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC (over 3,000 trees donated by Japan in 1912 — the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates their bloom). Susceptible to borers (peach tree borer), bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae), cherry leaf spot, and root rot in poorly drained soil. This disease and pest susceptibility is the primary limitation. Relatively short-lived for a landscape tree (15-25 years). Grafted onto rootstock — remove below-graft suckers. Not drought-tolerant. Deer browse. Toxic (cyanogenic glycosides in leaves, bark, seeds). Zones 5-8. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Hybrid first described from cultivated trees in Tokyo, Japan. Parentage uncertain — likely P. speciosa × P. subhirtella. Not known in the wild.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen tree, park tree, and street tree spaced 25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m). Pale pink spring bloom on bare branches. The Tidal Basin cherry of Washington, DC. Short-lived (15-25 years) — plan for replacement. Toxic. Zones 5-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height25' - 40'
Width/Spread25' - 35'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Early to mid spring (March-April). Pale pink single 5-petaled flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) fading to near-white, in clusters of 5-6 on bare branches. Lightly fragrant (almond scent). 2 weeks of bloom. Bee-visited. Small black cherries follow.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale pink fading to near-white, single, 5-petaled, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) diameter, in clusters of 5-6 along the branches before leaves emerge; lightly fragrant (almond scent)Foliage Description
Dark green, simple, ovate to elliptic, finely serrated, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long; turns yellow to orange in fall — fall color unremarkableGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Not drought-tolerant. Root rot in wet sites. Susceptible to borers, bacterial canker, and cherry leaf spot. Short-lived (15-25 years). Remove below-graft suckers. Prune after flowering (June-July) — winter pruning increases canker risk. Deer browse. Toxic (cyanogenic glycosides). Zones 5-8.Pruning
Prune after flowering (June-July). Remove dead, crossing, or canker-infected branches — cut 12 inches (30 cm) below infection and disinfect tools. Remove rootstock suckers below the graft union. The arching spreading form is natural.Pruning Schedule
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