Prunus - Cherries & Plums ( Part 2 )

Continued from Prunus - Cherries & Plums ( Part 1 )

Prunus napaulensis ( Nepal Cherry )
A medium-sized, deciduous tree native to mountains of Nepal that is related to Prunus cornuta. Some records include: 5 years - 9 feet; largest on record - trunk diameter of 3.2 feet.
The finely-toothed, narrowly-elliptical leaves are up to 7 x 2 inches in size.
The white flowers are borne on upright spikes.
Hardy zones 7 to 9, preferring a cool maritime climate.

Prunus nigra ( Canada Plum )
A fast growing, small, upright, deciduous tree reaching up to 25 feet that is native to cooler parts of North America ( from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Terrace Bay, Ontario to Manitoulin Island to Haileybury, Ontario to southern Quebec to New Brunswick, south to Iowa to northern Illinois, northern Indiana and northern Ohio to New York State ). Some records include: largest on record - 62 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.7 feet. The maximum lifespan of the Canada Plum is about 250 years, though 65 years is generally considered old. It is usually found in fencerows and woodland edge in the wild.
The coarsely-toothed leaves are up to 5 x 3 inches in size. The foliage is deep green above and paler, hairy below; turning to red during autumn.
The fragrant flowers, up to 1.3 inches in width can be either white or pink ( more often pink )/ They are borne in umbels of 3 or 4 during early spring either before or with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by rounded, yellow fleshed, orange-red or less often yellow fruit up to 1.5 inches in width. The fruits are excellent eaten fresh or dried.
The bark is gray-brown and peels off in layers.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 and prefers moist soil. Very tolerant of harsh climates including the Canadian Prairies. Flood tolerant but hates compaction and is prone to canker disease.

* canada plum in Sparta, ON

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo of unknown internet source

* historical archive photos

'Princess Kay'
A neat, upright tree form with double white flowers originating in northern Minnesota. Some records include: 5 years - 11 x 6 feet.
The bark is dark.

Prunus x nigrella 'Muckle" ( Muckle Plum )
A fast growing, upright, large shrub or small tree, reaching 12 feet or more, that is the hybrid between Prunus nigra and P. tenella. The largest on record is 17 x 10 feet. It appears as a giant oversized Prunus tenella.
The blue-green foliage turns an attractive orange-red during autumn.
The bright pink, single flowers appear during early spring.
Hardy zones 2b to 7.

Prunus nipponica ( Japanese Alpine Cherry )
A small, deciduous tree, reaching up to 20 feet or rarely more, that is native to the mountains of northern & central Japan. Some records include: largest on record - 35 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.2 feet @ Willowwood Arboretum in New Jersey.
The coarsely-toothed, obovate leaves are up to 8 x 2 ( rarely over 4.5 ) inches in size. The foliage is mid to deep green; often turning intense scarlet-red during autumn.
The pink flowers up to an inch wide are borne in small clusters in mid-spring. They are followed by very small, black "cherries".
The bark is dark purplish-brown.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

Prunus occidentalis
A tropical, evergreen member of the Cherry family that is native to the Caribbean. It can become a massive tree reaching over 100 feet. Some records include: 3 years - 8 feet; 10 years - 3 feet; 40 years - 90 feet; largest on record - 170 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.3 feet.
The foliage is green and up to 8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 10 and warmer.

Prunus 'Okame'
A fast growing tree reaching up to 30 feet that is the hybrid between Prunus campanulatus and Prunus incisa. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; 12 years - 25 x 20 feet; largest on record - 40 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The leaves up to 3 x 1.6 inches in size, are deep green in summer turning to vivid orange during autumn.
It is the earliest and longest ( 3 weeks ) of all Cherries. The single bright pink flowers are up to an inch across and are borne in clusters of 3, opening from pinkish-red buds before the foliage.
The bark is rich, red brown in color.
Hardy zones 5b to 9; it is heat and very clay tolerant.
'First Lady' originating at the U.S. National Arboretum is a cross of P. 'Okame' back with P. campanulata.
It reaches about equal size, has similar growth rate, flowers, form and equal hardiness.
Its larger, glossy deep green foliage more resembles that of P. campanulata.
The flowers are followed by red cherries up to 0.5 inches across. They provide great food for the birds.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photos taken on Mar 5 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 26 2015 in Bel Air, MD

* photo taken on Mar 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 31 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2023 in Columbia, MD

Prunus padus ( European Bird Cherry )
A pyramidal to rounded, medium-sized tree to 50 feet with drooping branch tips, that is a widespread native to northern Eurasia from England to Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5 feet; 5 years - 16 x 13 feet; 20 years - 37 x 20 feet; largest on record - 112 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 32 inches ( 6 foot stump has been recorded ). This tree can live up to 80 years or more.
It is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the taper-pointed, finely-toothed, oval leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size.
They are deep matte green in summer and turn to yellow or red in autumn.
The numerous, small, fragrant, white flowers are borne in long racemes, up to 6 inches long, with the foliage during late spring.
They are followed by tiny ( 0.3 inch ), bitter tasting, glossy black "cherries".
The smooth bark is dark gray with darker lenticals.
Hardy zones 1 to 6 and is urban tolerant. It can even be used as a street tree in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photos taken on Apr 20 2013 in Columbia, MD
* historic archive photo

* excellent photon link found on internet
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id39521/

'Colorata'
Foliage is red-purple in spring turning to deep green above, reddish below.
The flowers are deep pink instead of white.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

'Commutata'
Flower racemes up to 6 inches in length appear 15 days earlier than average for Prunus padus. Originates in Manchuria.

'Ethel'
Vigorous and extremely hardy, even thriving in much of Alberta, Canada.
Some records include: 5 years - 17 x 14 feet; 6 years - 19 x 14 feet.

'Plena'
Double flowers; otherwise identical to species.

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

'Merlot'
Vigorous and upright in habit, becoming more rounded with age. It reaches an average of 30 x 18 feet in 20 years.
The foliage is green at first, turning to deep purple.
The white flowers are only sparely followed by fruit.
Hardy zones 2-

'Watereri'
A vigorous growing tree, with long, slender, compact, creamy-white, flower racemes up to 8 inches in length.
The stems are purple.

Prunus pedunculata ( Prairie Almond )
Also called Amygdalus pedunculata. A spreading small to medium-sized, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum height of 6.5 x 7 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to Russia, most of Mongolia and north-central China.
The coarsely-toothed, obovate or oblong leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.8 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green above, pale green beneath.
The pink flowers, up to 0.6 inches wide, appear during late spring, just before the foliage emerges.
The are followed by deep purplish-red cherries, up to 0.6 inches wide, during mid to late summer.
The branches are grayish-brown to brown.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun on very well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant and has high potential as a landscape shrub or low hedge in the northern Great Plains and intermountain west.

Prunus pennsylvanica ( Pin Cherry )
A small, colonizer tree reaching up to a typical 25 feet, often forming thickets on recently cleared land. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 110 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet; oldest tree of record - 75 years. The Pin Cherry is a native of northern North America ( from Whitehorse, Yukon to southwestern Northwest Territories to far northern Ontario to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Montana, Colorado, Iowa to Pennsylvania, locally further south in Illinois, Indiana and the Appalachian Mountains ). Its natural range covers most of the Canadian Shield except for the Hudson Bay Lowlands. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant in southern Essex County as well as at Detroit, Michigan during the 1800s.
The long pointed, narrow, lance shaped leaves, up to 6 x 2 inches in size, emerge early in spring. The shiny green foliage turns to golden yellow and scarlet red or less often purple during autumn.
The small, 0.5 inch wide flowers are borne in umbels of up to 5 in late spring after the foliage appears.
The acid tasting, scarlet red cherries, are up to 0.3 inches wide, ripen during mid-summer. Birds heavily consume the fruit.
The branches have many spur branches and the twigs are bright red and shiny.
Young trees have smooth, reddish-brown bark which becomes horizontally broad plated and papery on older trees.
Hardy zones 2 to 5 ( possibly 1 in Yukon Territories ) though not often cultivated except in extreme climates of the far north including Alaska.

* photo taken on Aug 3 2011 in Luzerne Co, PA

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

Prunus persica ( Peach )
Originally native to China; its actual place of origin is enshrouded in mystery after centuries of cultivation. Typically a small tree to 20 feet; some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet; 4 years - 11 x 6 feet; largest on record - 60 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
The finely-toothed, lance-shaped leaves are up to 9 x 2 ( rarely over 6 ) inches in size. They are purplish at first during spring, turning to glossy deep green in summer then to bronze during autumn.
The large, showy pink or white familiar early spring flowers appear before the foliage.
They are followed by the yellow to red down covered tasty, large, edible round fruits up to 3 inches long.
The twigs are reddish with white, fuzzy buds.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( use hardiest seed source/cultivars only in zone 5 ) in full sun on acidic or alkaline, humus-rich, well drained soil. Kept the ground beneath the tree either bare or better yet mulched in organic matter, turf grass on top of tree roots will slow your Peach trees growth and production considerably. When buying a Peach tree, it is best to buy approx 4 foot tall 1 year bare root trees and plant during early spring while still dormant. It is important to but from a reputable nursery that can guarantee the tree and the rootstock ( Lovell & Siberian C are common ) is true to type and is free of nematodes or viruses. Selecting the right variety can make all the difference between success, failure or a tree that needs more chemicals than it is worth. Peaches thrive over a very large range of climates however different cultivars fare better in some than others. Peaches are self-fertile, not needing multiple trees to produce fruit. Peaches may be prone to peach leaf curl in some regions. Canker is a problem in humid areas, it is recommended to not use canker prone root stock where this is a problem and immediately prune dead wood out of trees where it may occur. White plastic trunk wraps can be used to protect the trunk of peach trees from sunscald. A deep weekly watering is recommended if drought occurs during the time between flowering and the fruit ripening. Propagation of cultivars is from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

* photos taken on Mar 27 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on Mar 31 2016 in Catonsville, MD

* photo taken on June 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 9 2023 in Columbia, MD

Ornamental Flowering Forms

'Albo Plena'
White double flowers, up to 2" wide.

'Bonfire'
A dwarf, shrubby form, reaching up to 7 x 8 feet. Some records include: 3 years - 4.3 feet; 5 years - 5.5 feet.
The attractive foliage is deep red all summer long. The leaves are up to 10 inches long.
The double, pinkish-red flowers are borne during early spring before the foliage emerges.
They are followed by tasty small peaches.
Hardy zones 5 to 8, it has good resistance to bacterial leaf spot.

* photo taken on Aug 31 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

'Corinthian Pink'
Reaching up to 18 x 7 feet and columnar in habit, with foliage that is purple at first, turning to purplish-green.
The flowers vary from white to pink.

'Crimson Cascade'
Moderate growing and weeping in habit, reaching up to 13 x 8 feet in 5 years, to 15 x 15 feet in 10 years, eventually to 27 x 27 feet.
The foliage is reddish-purple at first, turning to mid-green.
The flowers are deep red.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

'Klare Meyer'
Shrubby in form with double deep pink flowers.

'Pink Cascade'
Moderate growing and weeping in habit, reaching up to 13 x 8 feet in 5 years, to 15 x 15 feet in 10 years, eventually to 27 x 27 feet.
The foliage is reddish-purple at first, turning to mid-green.
The flowers are bright pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photo taken on Mar 22 2012 in Columbia, MD


'Prince Charming'
Similar to species in habit except with double, deep rose-pink flowers.

'Redhaven'
A self-pollinating, regular-sized Peach bearing sweet-tasting, yellow to red skinned fruit. The fragrant flowers are rosy-red in bud, opening to pink.
The leaves turn to yellow during autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Aug 31 2015 in Elkridge, MD

'Reliance'
Self-fertile, it abundantly bears tasty, yellow, mid-size peaches.
Hardy north to zone 5, it is among the best cultivars for cold climates.

'Rubra'

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum


'Royal Red'
Brilliant scarlet red leaves turn red-green in summer.

* photo taken on May 16 2012 in Columbia, MD

'Russels Red'
Double red flowers

'Versicolor
Double white flowers

FRUITING FORMS

'Brighton'
Vigorous and canker resistant.

'Candor'
A hardy variety with good tasting fruits.
It is resistant to leaf curl and highly resistant to bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Compact Redhaven'
A zone 6 variety with good tasting fruits.
It is resistant to leaf curl and highly resistant to bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Charlotte'
Very resistant to leaf curl and bacterial canker.
Orange-red, sweet juicy fruit.

'Clayton'
A zone 5 hardy cultivar with good tasting fruits.
It is highly resistant to leaf curl, bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Halford'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It thrives only in mild climates ( zone 8 and warmer ).
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.

'Hardired'
A "Nectarine" ( smooth skinned ) with medium sized red fruit. Exceptionally hardy, thriving from zones 5 to 8 and tolerating as low as -30 F. Brown rot and leaf spot resistant which is important since many other cultivars of Nectarines perform badly in humid climates due to brown rot susceptibility.

'Lovell'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It thrives in a large range of climates and is more cold hardy than most Peach cultivars.
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.

'New Haven'
A zone 6 cultivar with good tasting fruits.
it is resistant to leaf curl, bacterial spot and flesh browning.

'Raritan Rose'
Excellent form, is vigorous, bud hardy and canker and leaf spot resistant.
Large bright red fruit.

'Reliance'
Fast growing and exceptionally hardy, north to zone 4b ( tolerating -25 F ).
The fruit is yellow with some red.

'Rich Haven'
A large, vigorous tree with up to 50 pounds of gold-red fruit per year. Can tolerate -20 F with no damage.

'Siberian C'
Commonly used as root stock on which other Peaches are grown. It is used only where winters are consistently cold such as in the Great Lakes and New England.
It is also longer lived than most rootstocks however can be prone to Peach Tree Borer, Crown Rot and Nematodes.
It is very prone to bacterial canker and should be avoided where this is a problem.

'Veteran'
Cold hardy, to zone 5 with large yellow fruit. Unlike many Peaches; this one is good in cool wet climates such as Seattle, WA.

Prunus pumila ( Sand Cherry )
A small, hardy, groundcover shrub usually only reaching up to 4 feet in height, that is native to North America ( from Falcon Lake, Manitoba to Sioux Lookout, Ontario to Ranoke, Ontario to Matagami, Quebec to New Brunswick; south to Wyoming to central Kansas to Iowa to northern Illinois to northern Ohio to New Jersey ). It is common on Great Duck and Cockburn Islands on Lake Huron. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant on the beaches around Point Pelee as well as on the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It was rare on the Ohio shore even during presettlement times however a sizable population was known to occur at Oxford Prairie. Some records include: largest on record - 10 x 15 feet.
The narrowly elliptical or oblong leaves, up to 4 x 1 ( rarely over 2 ) inches in size, are toothed near the tip.
They are gray-green above, bluish below; turning to fiery scarlet-red during autumn.
The white flowers are borne in clusters of 2 to 4 during late spring.
They are followed by edible, small, deep red to purplish-black "cherries", up to 0.6 inches wide, during late summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 and both drought and lime tolerant.

* photos taken on July 18 2016 in Grand Bend, ON

* photos taken on July 13 2018 in Grand Bend, ON

'Catskill'
A cultivar of subspecies depressa, it forms a groundcover shrub reaching up to 2 x 15 feet in size.
The disease resistant foliage is reddish at first, turning to glossy deep green.

* Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

subsp 'Depressa'
An attractive groundcover shrub reaching up to 3 x 6 + feet. It is native to rocky or sandy shoreline from Kenora, Ontario to Marathon, Ontario to Manitoulin Island to southern Quebec to New Brunswick; south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The narrow oblanceolate leaves, up to 3 x 1 inches in size, are mid-green above, bluish white below.

* photos taken on July 31 2013 @ Pinery Provincial Park, Grand Bend, Ontario

'Jade Parade'
A fast growing, dense, vase-shaped to spreading shrub, reaching up to 3 x 6 feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet.
The glossy blue-green foliage turns to yellow, orange and red during autumn. The finely-toothed leaves are up to 3.2 x 1.5 inches in size.
The abundant, white flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, appear during mid-spring.
They are followed by deep blackish-purple cherries, up to 0.3 inches wide, during late summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 7, it is easy to root from softwood cuttings.

* photos taken on May 14 2024 in Elkridge, MD

* patent photo

subsp. 'Susquehanae' ( Susquehanna Sandcherry )
Taller than average ( to 6.5 feet ) for Prunus pumila. The foliage is nearly white beneath and the fruit is smaller. Often found on sand dunes and sandy pine woods in the wild in eastern North America ( from Manitoba to Ingolf, Ontario to Quebec; south to Arkansas to Indiana to Ohio to West Virginia to Virginia ). It is found on the Constance Bay Sandhills near Ottawa in Ontario.
The obovate or broadly-elliptical leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
The fruits are up to 0.4 inches wide.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Prunus rufa ( Himalayan Cherry )
A small, deciduous tree native to low lying areas of the Himalayas. The tallest on record is only 28 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 inches.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
The small, white to pinkish-white flowers backed by red calyces are borne in spring.
They are followed by tiny, red "cherries"
The younger shoots are covered in a "rusty felt"
Hardy zones 7 to 10

Prunus salicifolia ( Mexican Bird Cherry )
A very fast growing, medium sized, deciduous tree, related to Prunus serotina, that is native to mountains from Mexico to Peru. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 15 feet; largest on record - 80 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
The serrate edged, leathery foliage is up to 7 inches in length.
The small, white flowers are borne in loose racemes and are followed by small, sweet, juicy, red "cherries" up to 0.7 inches in width.
Surprisingly hardy in climates far colder in winter than occurs in its native range. Hardy from zones 6 to 10 with reports of surviving -22 F in Massachussetts.
'Equadorian'
Sweet fruits up to 1.5 inches in width.

Prunus salicina ( Japanese Plum )
A small, fast growing tree to 30 feet that is native to Japan and closeby parts of eastern China. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 40 x 40 feet.
The oval foliage is heavily though bluntly toothed and up to 5 inches in length.
It is lush deep green in summer and turns red in autumn.
The white flowers are borne in pairs or small clusters in early spring.
They are followed by red fruits up to 3 inches across that are edible though bitter.
The new shoots are red and the attractive bark is smooth and orangish to red-brown.
Hardy zones 4b to 9, one seed source in eastern Asia is reported to tolerate -30 F or possibly even colder into zone 3.

* photos taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC



* photo taken by Dr. Nick V. Kurzenko @ CalPhotos

'Methley'
A self pollinating tree reaching up to 25 x 25 feet with large, yellow fleshed, purple skinned fruit.

* photo taken on Oct 18 2023 in Elkridge, MD

'Purple Heart'
Small, dark purple sweet fruit to 1.5 inches. Hardy to as low as -25 F

'Red Heart'
Heavy crops of large red "Plums" that preserve well.

Prunus sargentii ( Sargent Cherry )
A fast growing, spreading dome-canopied, medium to large sized tree, reaching around 60 feet in height, that is native to Sakhalin & northern Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 5 feet with trunk diameter increase of 1 inch; 20 years - 60 x 70 feet; largest on record - 90 x 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. The Sargent Cherry is longer lived than most Cherries.
The The toothed, pointed, broadly-oval leaves are up to 6 x 3 inches in size. The smooth leaves are reddish in spring, turning to glossy deep green above, later turning vivid scarlet-red during autumn.
The pink, frilly flowers up to 2 inches are borne in clusters during mid spring with the emerging foliage.
They are followed by smallish, very dark red fruits, up to 0.5 inches wide, during mid-summer.
The smooth bark is glossy purplish-brown with lenticels.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 ( thrives at least as far north as the Ottawa Valley in Ontario ) and is tolerant of drought and clay, however does not like pollution. Does not grow well in the extreme heat of the southeastern U.S.
Foliage is very prone to Japanese Beetles ( recommended long term treatment is treating entire lawn area with Milky Spore ) but the Sargent Cherry is rarely bothered by disease.
Propagation is from seed during autumn.

* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Nov 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Columnaris'
Narrow columnar form, reaching up to 35 x 15 feet in 20 years and eventually up to 53 x 26 feet.
The deep green foliate turns to orangish-red to purple during autumn.
The flowers are light pink.

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Pink Flair'
Narrow, upright and vase-shaped, reaching up to 25 x 16 feet in 20 years, eventually more.
The foliage is deep green, turning to orangish-red during autumn.
The mid-pink, single flowers are borne during mid spring. It flowers 2 weeks after the species, thus avoiding frost damage.
Hardy zones 3 to 7, it is among the best Flowering Cherries for the northern Great Plains but also thrives in the hot humid Mid Atlantic and parts of the Southeast.

* photo taken on July 3 2024 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash DC

'Princeton Snow Cloud'
Rapid growing and columnar in habit, reaching a larger size quicker than regular Prunus sargentii. It can reach up to 55 x 18 feet in 25 years, eventually more.
The oval leaves are up to 6.5 x 3.2 inches in size and emerge bronze before turning to mid-green. The foliage turns intense scarlet-red during late autumn.
The very abundant, large, white flowers, appear during mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5a to 7

* photos taken on Mar 26 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

* patent photo

'Rancho'
Larger, deeper pink flowers on a narrower shaped tree, averaging 30 x 15 feet in 20 years.
The glossy deep green foliage turns to orange and red during autumn.

'Spring Wonder'
A broad, vase-shaped tree, reaching up to 25 x 25 feet in 20 years, it originates from seed source in Hokkaido in northern Japan.
The foliage is purplish at first, turning to glossy deep green. The leaves then turn to orange-red during autumn.
The flowers are pink.
The bark is glossy reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 4a+

Prunus x schmittii
A vigorous, narrow, upright small tree reaching up to 40 feet or more, that is the hybrid between Prunus avium and P. canescens. Some records include: largest on record - 70 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 26 inches.
The leaves have a finely serrated margin and taper to a fine point. They are up to 5 x 2 inches in size. The foliage is deep green above and paler beneath.
The pale pink flowers are up to an inch in width.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

Prunus scopulorum
Also called Prunus pseudocerasus. A strongly upright tree reaching up to 30 feet in height that is native to mountain slopes from central to northeast China.
Some records include: largest on record - 40 x 12 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The ovate to elliptical leaves are up to 5 x 2.3 inches in size.
The very fragrant flowers that are white with a pink tinge are borne in clusters during late spring.
They are followed by small red fruits, up to 0.5 inches wide, during early summer.
The bark ranges from pale gray to reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( likely 5 for seed source from Liaoning ) in full sun on very well drained soil.

Prunus serotina ( Black Cherry )
A large, deciduous tree native to eastern North America ( from eastern North Dakota to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Manitoulin Island to Temagami, Ontario to southern Quebec to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; south to eastern Texas to central Florida...subspecies native to most of Arizona to western Texas as well as in the Edwards Plateau of central Texas ) reaching up to 80 feet or more. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was abundant along the Canard River Valley, around Point Pelee, the Lake Erie islands as well as the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It occurred sporadically at Detroit during that time. Some records include: first year from seed - 24 inches; fastest recorded growth rate - 8 feet with trunk diameter increase of 3 inches; 3 years - 6 inch trunk diameter; 4 years - 18 x 12 feet; 20 years - 66 x 33 feet; largest on record - 170 x 130 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet. It is moderately long-lived but rarely exceeds 170 years, with 258 years being the oldest known.
The finely-toothed, elliptical leaves are up to 5 x 2 or rarely 6.6 x 5 inches in size. The foliage is reddish at first turning to glossy, mid-green above and light green beneath. The foliage turns yellow and orange red, late in autumn. As with other trees in the Prunus family, this tree should not be planted where livestock graze as the foliage can cause poisoning.
The small ( 0.3 inch ) white flowers are borne in pendulous racemes up to 6 inches in length in late spring after the foliage has already emerged.
The flowers are followed by purplish-black, rounded fruit up to 0.3 inches wide hat ripen in late summer. The fruits are highly valued by birds but due to their small size are generally ignored by people. The taste varied from tree to tree from sour to sweet.
The twigs zig-zag and are slender.
The bark is smooth and dark gray in young trees later becoming dark gray and scaly.
The hard, reddish, finely grained wood is very valuable in the making of furniture.
Black Cherry is among the most prized North American timbers after Black Walnut.
The wood burns well with aromatic smoke, releasing around 20 Btu per cord.
Hardy zones 3 to 9. This tree is unfortunately the primary host for the Tent Caterpillar.

* photo taken on May 1 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Guelph, Ontario

* photo taken on August 4 2010 @ Woodlands Arboretum, Clinton, ON

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 3 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on June 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD

* photos taken @ Middle Patuxent, Clarksville, MD on Apr 24 2015

* photos taken on May 9 2015 in Ellicott City, MD

Paul S. Carter @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken on June 1 2014 @ Maryland Horticulturalist Society garden tour, Ellicott City

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on Oct 19 2015 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on May 25 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 12 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Dec 20 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 4 2017 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2017 in Trucksville, PA

* historical archive photos

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on July 16 2016 in Bayfield, ON