YOSHINO CHERRY

336 E. Erwin Dr.

Yoshino Cherry (Prunus × yedoensis)

The Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis), also known as the Japanese flowering cherry, is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, the Yoshino cherry will be a highlight in the yard with its oriental branching pattern, glossy bark, and dark-green leaves. Prunus × yedoensis occurs as a natural or artificial hybrid in Japan, and is a clone from a single tree, and propagated by grafting all over the world. It is a small, deciduous tree that grows to 16-39 feet tall at maturity. The fruit, a small cherry, is about one-third inch in size, and is an important food source for many small birds and mammals, including robins and thrushes. Although the fruit contain little flesh, it contains much concentrated red juice which can stain clothing and bricks. The cherries are only marginally sweet to the human palate. Yoshino cherry is believed to be endemic to the Yoshino district in Japan, where its name originated around 1900.