Flowering Cherry

 While this is a cherry tree, this particular species does not produce cherries that we would want to eat. Instead, it produces pea-sized black fruits in the summer that are less appetizing than the cherries you might turn into jam or bake in a pie. The trees that produce cherries that you buy at the grocery store are a different species, but this tree is a close relative.

Cherry trees are native to Japan, and their beauty is greatly appreciated there. They became culturally significant as a symbol of the Samurai. In Japan, these trees grow much taller than they do here in the US. The trees lose their petals during peak bloom, and to the Japanese Samurai, it signified dying in the middle of a battle. If you would like to learn more about the cultural significance of this tree, there are links below with more information.

If you can, grab a leaf from the tree. The leaves are oval and have a serrated edge. They look pointy. This tree is considered a eudicot and has characteristic branching veins in its leaves. During the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful yellow color. These leaves will drop, and beautiful flowers will bloom once again in the spring. 

The trunk of this tree is interesting as well. It looks papery, unlike other trees you might be familiar with that have a thick, brown trunk. You might notice that it looks like there are horizontal slits in the trunk. This does not mean that the tree is sick or damaged. This tree is actually considered to be in good shape! These “slits” are called lenticels. Lenticels are pores in the trunk that help with gas exchange in the environment. From these lenticels, carbon dioxide can enter the tree, while oxygen and water vapor can flow out. These materials are essential for photosynthesis and keeping the tree alive!

As I mentioned before, there are many Rosaceae trees all over campus! I highly encourage you to go find those trees, like the Weeping Cherry tree or the Pear trees! If the Rose family wasn’t your favorite, there are also trees to discover from some other families, like the oaks and maples. Thank you for visiting my favorite tree! I hope you learned a little and that you appreciate its beauty as much as we do.

These resources are a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department. My name is Caitlyn Angley, and i will earn my Biological Sciences degree in 2021. I plan to pursue a career in lab work. You can read more about me and the flowering cherry tree below.