Can I Plant a Weeping Cherry Tree Close to My House?
Can I Plant a Weeping Cherry Tree Close to My House
The weeping cherry is one of the most elegant ornamental trees on the planet. These stunning trees produce dazzling blooms in spring that brighten any garden, and their striking fall color and bark add to the appeal of your yard year-round.
To plant a weeping cherry, start by selecting an area in your garden that will receive ample sunlight. Ideally, you’ll choose a spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. This will help the weeping cherry grow to full size.
You may also want to select an area with good air circulation around the tree. This will prevent disease and other problems that can cause the weeping cherry to lose its beauty.
Once you’ve chosen the right location, you’ll need to prepare the area for planting. This includes removing any unwanted weeds or grass growth and amending the soil if needed.
A good-quality tree will thrive in rich, loamy soil that drains well. If you aren’t sure whether your soil is the ideal mix, test it with a hand-held soil tester. If the tester shows that the soil is too heavy or clayish, you can amend it with coarse sand and perlite to make it more workable.
When you’re ready to plant your weeping cherry, dig a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the root ball and twice as wide. Use the dirt you removed in making the hole to fill in around the roots. Once you’ve filled in the area, stake the weeping cherry so that it is firmly planted.
Then, water the tree well to ensure that it’s planted correctly and has the proper foundation. Be careful not to overwater, as this can kill the tree. Instead, water it slowly, giving it time to soak into the soil.
Once the tree is planted, you can cover it with a layer of mulch to help retain moisture. This will keep weeds from sprouting and will prevent the soil from drying out. You should be able to keep the tree watered for a few months, after which it will need less maintenance.
Weeping cherries are easy to care for, so long as you follow these tips for growing them. They require consistent watering and a little bit of pruning to control their size.
They can be a great addition to a home garden or a wildlife garden. They’re also a popular ornamental for the patio or porch, adding color and interest to these areas.
The best time to plant a weeping cherry is in the fall, just before the first frost date. This will give the tree a head-start on spring growth, when you can feed it with a slow-release fertilizer to promote growth and blooms.
When the cherry has finished flowering in the spring, it is a good time to prune. You should remove any branches that have crossed or are otherwise rubbing against each other to avoid tangling, which can result in damage to the leaves and flowers.
