Flowering cherry trees, or cherry blossom trees, are small trees that traditionally mark the beginning of spring with their bounteous, delicate white flowers in places as far apart as Japan and Washington, D.C. (Japan, in fact, donated thousands of flowering cherry trees to America's capital in 1912; to this day the people of Japan and Washington look with anticipation to the ubiquitous petals that bloom en masse at winter's end. The blossoms of flowering cherry trees open even before the trees grow their leaves, making cherry trees colorful heralds of warmer weather.
Identification
There are numerous varieties of flowering cherry tree; their blossoms bloom in colors from white to pink. The most popular species is known as the Sakura, and it is the official flower of Japan.
Types
Other varieties of flowering cherry trees include Kwanzan and "snow fountain" weeping cherry trees. Kwanzan trees are known for their pink colors and double blossoms, while weeping cherry trees feature branches filled with flowers that hang low to the ground.
Considerations
Cherry trees grow well in most of the United States, especially USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. They require a good deal of water, so if you live in a dry region of the country, make sure you're able to give your flowering cherry trees an adequate amount of moisture.
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