{"product_id":"cherry-flowering-akebono","title":"Cherry, Flowering, Akebono","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTree Care:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlanting:\u003cbr\u003eLocation: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProcess: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatering:\u003cbr\u003eEarly Years: Provide deep, regular watering (1–2 times a week) while the tree establishes its root system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintenance: Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but a deep soak during a dry summer will prevent early leaf drop and stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFertilizing:\u003cbr\u003eTiming: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTip: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePruning:\u003cbr\u003eTiming: Important: Prune immediately after flowering in late spring. Pruning in the winter can remove the dormant flower buds and invite silver leaf disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethod: Remove \"suckers\" from the base and any dead or crossing branches to maintain its elegant, spreading shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePest and Disease Control:\u003cbr\u003eVigilance: Flowering cherries are susceptible to aphids, scale, and tent caterpillars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisease: Watch for Cherry Leaf Spot or powdery mildew. Ensure the tree has plenty of air circulation to keep the foliage dry and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter Care:\u003cbr\u003eMulching: Apply a 3-inch layer of wood chips or bark around the base to insulate the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrunk 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTree Description:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppearance:\u003cbr\u003eFlowers: Masses of large, fragrant, semi-double pink blossoms that gradually fade to white as they age, creating a beautiful multi-toned effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBark: Smooth, glossy, silver-gray bark with prominent horizontal lenticels (pores) that add winter interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoliage:\u003cbr\u003eSummer: Lustrous, dark green, ovate leaves that provide a cool, dense shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall: Turns a lovely golden-yellow with splashes of orange before the leaves drop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShape and Growth:\u003cbr\u003eHabit: Features a classic, spreading, vase-like crown that becomes more rounded and umbrella-shaped with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: A medium-sized tree, typically reaching 20–30 feet tall and wide at maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdaptability:\u003cbr\u003eResilience: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLandscape Use:\u003cbr\u003eShowstopper: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freedom Tree Farms","offers":[{"title":"5G","offer_id":52264956100891,"sku":"C00002073","price":20.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/freedomtreefarms.com\/products\/cherry-flowering-akebono","provider":"Freedom Tree Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}