A Complete Guide to Autumn Cherry Trees
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Autumn cherry trees produce beautiful, flowery clusters in spring and in fall, and can thrive in your yard if you prepare carefully. By finding the right growing area, pruning as necessary, and taking steps to prevent disease, you can keep your trees blooming for years to come. Read our guide to learn how to care for an autumn cherry tree, where you should plant it, and what its blooming schedule might look like.
Autumn Cherry Trees at a Glance
Autumn cherry trees include the following benefits:
- Attract songbirds
- Bloom twice per year
- Cold-hardy
- Fast-growing
- Flower earlier in spring than most cherry trees
Characteristics of Autumn Cherry Trees
Autumn cherry trees have unique features and growth patterns. Learn more about their appearance, size, and unique blooms below.
Appearance and Size
The autumn flowering cherry tree features delicate, broad upright branches. It grows 2 feet a year or more until it’s mature, and can grow to be 20–35 feet high and 20–25 feet wide. These trees will quickly decorate your next landscape project.
Unique Blooming Pattern
Autumn cherry trees feature earmark semi-double blossoms. Blooms start out in spring as deep-pink buds, which become pale pink as they open. They become nearly white as they open fully. This pattern repeats itself in fall.
Foliage and Fruit
Autumn cherry tree leaves are serrated, and oblong-ovate. They’re green in the spring and summer but feature a mix of gold, bronze, and red in autumn.
Autumn cherry trees yield small, black, fruit-like berries in spring that attract songbirds and other wildlife.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Autumn Cherry Trees
Your cherry tree will thrive under the right conditions. Read more about hardiness zones and sun and soil requirements below.
Climate and Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones spell out the best regions in which gardeners can grow various types of plants based on average temperatures. Autumn cherry trees grow best in Zones 5–8, and can thrive across most of the country.
Soil Requirements
Autumn cherry trees are adaptable and can tolerate a range of soils but grow best in moist, acidic, and loam or clay soils. Autumn cherry trees prefer soil that drains well, as this can prevent root rot. If your soil is heavy or doesn’t drain well, add organic matter to improve its structure.
Sun and Shade
Autumn cherry trees thrive in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. They grow best with at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Planting Your Autumn Cherry Tree
Planting a cherry tree is simple if you plan correctly. Find a location that receives at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. This location can include partial shade. Proceed with the steps below.
- Clear the area of weeds and debris.
- Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Leave a mound of soil in the center.
- Place the tree on the soil mound and spread out the roots.
- Position the tree so its crown is about an inch above the soil level.
- Backfill the hole so that it’s about two-thirds full and water it.
- Fill the remaining space with soil. Make sure you cover the roots but not the crown.
- Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the tree’s root zone, but keep it away from the trunk.
If you’re going to plant more than one autumn cherry tree, make sure you space them so that they’re at least 35 feet apart. This will allow your trees to develop full canopies.
Caring for Your Autumn Cherry Tree
Follow the guidelines below to correctly water, fertilize, and prune your tree.
Watering Schedule
Getting the correct level of moisture is especially important when you first start growing your autumn cherry tree. Water deeply every other day for the first week, then water twice or three times during the second week. Complete the season by watering once per week.
You don’t need to water more than once every seven to 10 days once your tree is established. Give your tree about half an inch of water each time. If the soil is soggy, your tree’s leaves will yellow and fall off.
Fertilization Tips
You won’t need to fertilize your autumn cherry tree unless its branches are growing slowly. This amounts to less than 8 inches per year. Using fertilizer can boost the tree’s foliage and branch growth. Balanced fertilizer that features a 10-10-10 NPK value works best. Apply it in early spring.
Pruning Techniques
Wait until after the autumn cherry tree’s second bloom in the fall to prune it. This will give your tree time to heal before the next spring.
Common Autumn Cherry Tree Issues and Troubleshooting
You might encounter some issues as your tree grows, even if you care for it correctly. Below are some common problems and how to address them:
- Disease prevention and treatment: Autumn cherry trees are susceptible to fungal diseases, such as leaf spot or cherry leaf roll virus. Make sure your tree has enough air circulation by pruning it, and avoiding overhead watering. Contact an arborist if you notice any signs of disease, such as discolored leaves or unusual growth.
- Pest management: There are a few pests that might attack your cherry tree, such as aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. Inspect your tree regularly so that you can catch an infestation early. If you find one, treat with insecticides or natural remedies, such as neem oil.
Landscaping with Autumn Cherry Trees
Many homeowners like to use autumn cherry trees as focal points in their landscape designs. Consider planting them with the strategies below.
- Complementary plants: Plant spring-blooming bulbs alongside your autumn cherry tree for an early season display. Add evergreen shrubs for some year-round contrast. If you decide to plant under your tree, choose shade-tolerant perennials, such as hostas or ferns. This will lead to a lush garden bed.
- Design ideas: You can plant a single autumn cherry tree as a focal point or a row of trees along your property to serve as a privacy screen. You can also create a colorful landscape by mixing autumn cherry trees with other flowering trees.
FAQ About Autumn Cherry Trees
Do autumn cherry trees lose their leaves in autumn?
Autumn cherry trees lose their leaves around the same time as many other trees. They turn bronze, gold, and red in fall before they drop their leaves.
What do autumn cherry trees look like in the fall?
Autumn cherry leaves retain their rounded canopy, but their oblong, semi-ovate leaves turn to shades of bronze, gold, and red in the fall. They bloom for a second time with semi-double, 10-petal blooms that are pale pink-white and open in large clusters.
Do autumn cherry trees bloom more than once?
Yes, autumn cherry trees bloom more than once. They are unusual among cherry trees because they bloom in spring and again in fall.
Do you eat cherries from autumn cherry trees?
No, you cannot eat cherries from autumn cherry trees. Autumn cherry trees produce small, black, bitter berry-like fruits that songbirds like to eat but people do not.
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