Prunus Subhirtella, Autumn Cherry/Weeping Cherry Tree Identification Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Prunus subhirtella, Autumn Cherry/Weeping Cherry. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and Deciduous shrubs and small trees slideshow for pictures.

PRUNUS

Plant Botanical Name: Prunus Subhirtella

Common Name: Autumn Cherry, Weeping Cherry

Family Name: Rosaceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Japan

Plant Height at Maturity: 20-40 feet tall and wide

Plant Habit and Form: Deciduous trees of medium texture and fast growth rate. Trees have rounded open crown or weeping pendulous branches.

Foliage: Leaves simple, arranged alternate. Leaves dark green in color with serrated margins, 1-4 inches long and 0.5-1.5 inches wide. Fall color is yellow or orange.

Bark: Shiny and reddish brown bark, with long horizontal lenticels. Can become peeling and curled with age.

Flower: Flowers pink, can be white, single or double, borne singly or in clusters. Flowers are showy and bloom in April before the leaves grow.

Fruit/Seed: Fruit an oval drupe, black. Not ornamentally important.

Growing Requirements: Prefers moist well-drained soil. Will tolerate moderate cold and drought. Likes full sun.

Problems and Drawbacks: Trees are not long lived and are affected by numerous insects and diseases.

Special Uses: Used as specimen or in landscape. Trees are valued for their flowers and bark. Variety "pendula" is popular for its weeping form.

ID Tips/Remarks: Dark green leaves with glands at base. Horizontal lenticels on bark.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/prusub/prusub1.html, http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/pruubh/pruubh1.html