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Features : Yoshino Cherry If you've been wondering about those sublime pink flowering trees that have been gracing our intown neighborhoods this Spring, wonder no more. Atlanta is blessed with some spectacular examples of the Yoshino cherry tree. The profile below should give you all the information you want about this Spring beauty -- or if not, should point you in the right direction. About the Yoshino Cherry:
Latin name: Prunus x yedoensis [PRUNE-us EX Yeh-doh-EN-sis]Common name: Yoshino Cherry Size: Medium (a fully mature specimen can reach 40' to 50' in height); certain varieties are smaller and more compact Shape: Spreading and rounded; the spread of a mature tree can equal its height, so allow it room to grow. Growth Rate: Fast -- can grow to 15' or more in 10 years, but few survive more than about 20 years, which is why really big cherries are such a rare and beautiful sight. Preferred Growing Conditions: Full sun, well drained soil, good air circulation. 
Leaves, Flowers and Fruits: The Yoshino cherry tree in full bloom is a thing of absolute wonder to behold. The flower is the most delicate pink imaginable -- just one shade from pure white. Because the tree blooms at a time when most other trees in Atlanta are still fully dormant, it has virtually no rivals for our attention and admiration. Ornamental cherries frequently do bear fruits, but they are not considered edible, so just leave them for the birds and squirrels. The fall color is rarely remarkable -- generally a fairly unimpressive yellow.
Identifying Feature: You can tell a cherry tree by it's bark. You'll see little spots arranged in lines around the bark. These are called "lenticels" (LEN-ti-sulls), and they are like little mouths that the tree uses to breathe. A word of caution -- Cherry bark sometimes peels away from the tree a little bit (this is called "exfoliating"). DON'T pull the bark strips. They can just peel around and around like peeling an apple, and it will very seriously damage (or kill) the tree. To see good examples: Take a drive down E. Morningside. There are several spectacular examples. Across from Morningside Elementary (at the intersection of E. Morningside and Barclay) cherries line both sides of Barclay. Another excellent place to see good examples (if you can look really, really fast while dodging traffic) is along Piedmont between 14th and The Prado outside the Atlanta Botanical Garden. That entire bank is covered in cherries. It's absolutely spectacular for 1 to 2 weeks each year -- the rest of the time, you can concentrate on your driving. For reasons known best to them, the DOT has also planted a large group of cherries on the North end of the Equifax curve (Buford Connector) next to 75/85. Don't look unless you're a passenger!
Things to remember when considering this plant:The cherry tree is actually a member of the Rose family (remember your biology -- family, genus, species). Peach trees, plum trees and almond trees are all part of the same genus (Prunus), and just like roses, all of these trees are frequent targets of pests and diseases. Under most circumstances, I wouldn't recommend a plant that is as short-lived and prone to problems as this one, but for the Yoshino cherry (or the peach tree), I'd have to say it's worth the risk. Plant it. Keep it as healthy and unstressed as you possibly can, and enjoy it while it's there -- it's good for the soul.
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