Yoshino Cherry Trees

Yoshino Cherry Tree for Sale - Prunus × Yedoensis

The Yoshino Cherry Tree is prized worldwide for its heavenly spring blooms. Hundreds of tourists from every corner of the world make their way to Japan every spring for the Cherry Blossom Festival, where they can witness the magic of a sky filled with pink and white flowers in person.

These trees are native to East Asia but can thrive in many subtropical or temperate climates in the middle latitudes. This means you might find them in the southern United States or at the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival, where they are planted in abundance for all to enjoy.

Yoshino Cherry Tree Plant Details 

Family: Rosaceae

Light Requirement: Full sun

Water Needs: Moderate - High

Height: 25-40 ft

Spread: 25-30 ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Soil Preference: Moist, well drained

Season of Interest: Spring

Flower Color: White

Fruit: Small cherry

Wildlife Value: Robins, Thrushes, Small mammals, Butterflies

Notable Characteristics 

The Yoshino Cherry Trees are almost exclusively attributed to Japan, but interestingly, there is some scientific disagreement about their true native origin. Many agree that they originated on Jeju Island in Korea. Koreans purport that the Japanese stole them during the Japanese colonization of Korea in the early 1900s.

The fruit is small and not quite sweet, so it’s not common for humans to eat although it's possible. There may not be much flesh on these cherries, but they are very juicy and will stain anything with their bright red color. The flowers of this tree are white, with hints of pink at the base of their petals. They have five small, round petals and golden yellow stamens.

Landscape and Maintenance of Yoshino Cherry Tree 

As magnificent as these trees are, they are unfortunately high-maintenance. They are susceptible to many diseases such as leaf spot, dieback, and leaf curl. They are similarly vulnerable to damage from insects such as aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and borers. The Yoshino Cherry Trees grow along riverbanks, but they are happy anywhere in Zones 5-8 with enough sunlight and water, especially in their first year.