Cherry, Flowering, Akebono

Tree Care:

Planting:
Location: Needs a full sun spot to produce the most prolific blooms. It requires well-drained soil and does not tolerate "wet feet" or standing water.

Process: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. If your soil is heavy, amend it with organic matter to ensure the delicate roots can breathe.

Watering:
Early Years: Provide deep, regular watering (1–2 times a week) while the tree establishes its root system.

Maintenance: Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but a deep soak during a dry summer will prevent early leaf drop and stress.

Fertilizing:
Timing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell.

Tip: Avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers near the base of the tree, as this can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of next year’s flower buds.

Pruning:
Timing: Important: Prune immediately after flowering in late spring. Pruning in the winter can remove the dormant flower buds and invite silver leaf disease.

Method: Remove "suckers" from the base and any dead or crossing branches to maintain its elegant, spreading shape.

Pest and Disease Control:
Vigilance: Flowering cherries are susceptible to aphids, scale, and tent caterpillars.

Disease: Watch for Cherry Leaf Spot or powdery mildew. Ensure the tree has plenty of air circulation to keep the foliage dry and healthy.

Winter Care:
Mulching: Apply a 3-inch layer of wood chips or bark around the base to insulate the roots.

Trunk Protection: The bark is relatively thin and smooth, so consider a tree guard for the first few winters to protect against deer and frost cracks.

Tree Description:

Appearance:
Flowers: Masses of large, fragrant, semi-double pink blossoms that gradually fade to white as they age, creating a beautiful multi-toned effect.

Bark: Smooth, glossy, silver-gray bark with prominent horizontal lenticels (pores) that add winter interest.

Foliage:
Summer: Lustrous, dark green, ovate leaves that provide a cool, dense shade.

Fall: Turns a lovely golden-yellow with splashes of orange before the leaves drop.

Shape and Growth:
Habit: Features a classic, spreading, vase-like crown that becomes more rounded and umbrella-shaped with age.

Size: A medium-sized tree, typically reaching 20–30 feet tall and wide at maturity.

Adaptability:
Resilience: More resistant to disease and more tolerant of humidity than the standard Yoshino cherry, making it a better choice for the Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest.

Landscape Use:
Showstopper: Best used as a specimen tree in the middle of a lawn or as a focal point near a patio where you can enjoy the fragrance and the "snowfall" of petals in the spring.