Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree
The Beautiful Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree
The Kwanzan flowering cherry tree is a beautiful flowering ornamental tree that takes its name from a mountain in Japan. This tree is one of the twelve varieties of cherry tree that were gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912. The Yoshino cherry tree is the only other variety that is still found in the Washington D.C. landscape.
The 3,000 flowering cherry trees that were given to the United States by Japan were planted around the Tidal Basin. The beautiful display of cherry blossoms each spring is witnessed by tourists every year during the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Kwanzan flowering cherry tree comes into bloom two weeks later than the Yoshino cherry tree.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the Kwanzan flowering cherry tree grows best in Hardiness Zones 5-9. A map of Hardiness Zones can be found at arborday.org. Even though this tree is part of the cherry family, it bears no fruit. The tree will only live about 15 to 20 years, which is quite a short life span for a tree. The Kwanzan cherry tree grows best in full sun and loose, moist, and well-drained soil. The tree has some drought tolerance, but it very sensitive to pollution and other stresses.
This tree will grow to approximately 20 to 40 feet high and will usually be slightly wider than its height. Many people plant this tree as an accent near patios or as a border tree. It can also be planted in containers and along sidewalks or streets. It is easily transplanted if needed, but be sure to leave enough room for its full-grown width when deciding on an ideal location to plant this tree.
The Kwanzan cherry tree needs little pruning, except for aesthetic purposes. The bark is fairly fragile and care is needed when trimming or mowing near the tree, especially when the tree is still young. Mechanical impacts will cause damage to the thin bark.
There are several pests and diseases that the Kwanzan flowering cherry tree is sensitive to. Aphids can cause a dark mold to grow on the trunk and leaves. The peach tree borer can also invade and damage the flowering cherries. Caterpillars or cankerworms feed on the leaves of this tree and can cause enough damage to kill the tree. These pests and others need to be treated as soon as they are noticed in order to preserve the tree.
Spots on the leaves and twig cankers can be a sign of a bacterial infection. This can be a severe problem with significant defoliation possible. The Kwanzan tree is also susceptible to a powdery mildew. The mildew will display itself on the leaves as a white coating. This type of mildew is not a severe problem and it generally requires no treatment.
Treatment for the various pests and problems that can plague the Kwanzan flowering cherry tree usually includes pruning the affected areas. Experts advise that a professional tree pruning service be used in order to control the problem with as little damage to the rest of the tree. Professional tree surgeons will also be better able to preserve the beautiful shape of the tree.
Other treatments include applying oil or fungicides in the early spring to prevent aphids. This preventative treatment is only recommended for trees that have a history of problems with aphids, mites, and scales. Treatment for borers and caterpillars should only be done after the pest and problem has been identified.
The best treatment for pests and stresses is proper fertilization for the soil. Use a soil tester and then apply the fertilizer that will best balance the pH and nutrient levels. Adequate drainage is also very important for the survival and continued flowering of this tree.