How to Plant Flowering Cherry Trees
Flowering cherry trees are among the most gorgeous and prized of all trees. Equally valued for their magnificent blooms as for their fruit, they make a lovely addition to any landscape. In many Asian countries, such as China and Japan, flowering cherry trees are valued more for their aesthetic benefit than the cherry fruit. Planting your own flowering cherry tree is sure to bring you much joy when the tree blossoms. Flowering cherry trees require ample sunlight, well-drained soil and at least a 16-foot soil radius around it where no other plants can be planted. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Set the tree outside near the house so it receives morning sunlight, and afternoon shade that's provided by the house.
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2
Remove the rootball from the container or burlap.
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Measure the rootball just below the flare roots, and write down the height and width. The flare roots are the small roots at the very top of the root structure, and are usually about 1 inch long.
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Dig a hole that's 1 inch shallower than the height of the rootball, so the flare roots sit above the soil. The hole should be two or three times wider than the width of the rootball. Level the soil at the base of the hole by smoothing it out with a shovel.
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Cut the root strands that encircle the rootball using a serrated knife. Do this immediately before you are ready to plant the tree in the hole.
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Place the tree into the hole. Fill the hole halfway with soil. Do not mix the soil with any fertilizer or organic matter.
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Pour 1 qt. of water over the soil using a sprinkler watering can. Do not use a garden hose.
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Fill the rest of the hole with the soil.
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Pour another quart of water over the soil once the hole has been filled.
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Water the soil using a sprinkler watering can every two days for two weeks. After that, water three times a week.
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Cover the soil with 1 or 2 inches of mulch one month after planting. Keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit a reputable nursery to buy a flowering cherry tree. They do not come in seed form, but either as a "container plant" or "ball-and-burlap" plant. More mature trees usually come as ball-and-burlap plants.
There are many different varieties of flowering cherry trees. Shirofugen late-flowering cherry trees are best for casual gardeners. Pendula plena rosea double-pink flowering cherry trees are slow-growing, and reach a maximum height of 12 feet.
Flowering cherry trees are best planted in the spring or summer; avoid planting flowering cherry trees in the autumn or winter.
Do not fertilize your flowering cherry tree for the first 12 months after planting.
