If you’re local to Snohomish County, chances are, you’ve driven through Marysville and seen the stunning cherry blossom lined streets with their vibrant pink and white blooms. These trees add a level of elegance and beauty and have become a staple within the community that locals look forward to seeing each season. Other famous areas to see the beautiful trees are at the University of Washington. With their long-lasting blooms many people have started to incorporate cherry blossom trees within their own personal landscaping. While planting these trees can definitely boost your curb appeal and add a pop of color to your home, there are certain care and maintenance requirements that are needed to ensure your cherry blossom tree thrives.
Where Can You Plant Cherry Blossom Trees?
Cherry blossom trees can definitely thrive in the PNW, however, younger trees will still need extra care during the first few winters until they become more established. Before freezing temperatures roll in for the first time after planting, make sure to mulch around the trees base to help protect roots and do your best to avid over pruning in the late fall because it can make your trees prone to frost damage.
When choosing a spot to incorporate trees within your landscaping, make sure the area receives direct sunlight as they thrive in the sun vs. shade. Well-draining soil ensures the tree won’t become water-logged, if needed, incorporate sand or compost into the soil prior to planting, aiming for a slightly acidic/neutral pH for your new tree to thrive.
How do You Care for Cherry Blossom Trees?
When it comes to routine care, your cherry blossom tree, while somewhat drought tolerant, they do benefit from constant moisture and deep watering twice a week, especially during the first few years after planting. If you’re planning on planting in a season that sees heavy rainfall, ensure you aren’t over watering as you don’t want to drown the roots. This can lead to a plethora of diseases, or in many cases, can kill your trees.
When it comes to pruning, regular pruning will help promote healthy growth while also working to maintain the trees shape. The best time to prune your cherry blossom tree is in lake summer as it helps prevent diseases. When pruning, make sure to remove dead and diseased branches while thinning out any areas that seem crowded as this helps improve airflow and sunlight penetration.
How Can I Ensure My Cherry Blossom Tree Blooms?
If you’ve planted a cherry blossom tree, chances are, you want to see the beautiful pine and white blooms throughout the season. In order to promote healthy blooms, ensure you are watering your tree regularly and as needed, pruning in late summer, and fertilizing your tree regularly to keep your soil nutrient rich. When choosing fertilizers, make sure to avoid fertilizers that have high levels of nitrogen as they will encourage more leaf growth, but diminish the number of blooms you’ll see on your trees.
Cherry blossom trees can be a stunning addition to any landscaping, and with the climate in the pacific northwest, with a little bit of care, they can thrive and create stunning blooms that are sure to elevate your curb appeal. Whether cherry blossoms or another type of tree, our team of professional landscapers at firstfruitslandscaping are here to help ensure that your outdoor spaces are a reflection of our home, boosting the curb appeal and overall aesthetic of your home with vibrant colors and blooms. Contact us today to start your outdoor transformation.