Plant Care 101: Weeping Cherry Tree

Ongoing Weeping Cherry Care

When it comes to long-term care, the most important part is watering. The weeping cherry is carefree, so it doesn't take much. We recommend watering your tree about once or twice weekly as a general rule of thumb, but if you're not sure when to water, just check the soil.

When the top 3 inches of soil are dry around your tree, it's time to water. A slow trickle with a garden hose until the soil is moist is best. Remember: the weather does matter with the weeping cherry. If you're going through a period of drought, it may be necessary to water your weeping cherry twice a week. When it's colder outside, you may only need to water once every two or three weeks.

Fertilizing the Weeping Cherry for Plenty of Pink Flowers

When it's smaller, it will look much like an ornamental cherry tree (think: Snow Fountains®)—however, with the right care, many weeping cherries can grow up to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide! So, for the first couple of years, simply keep any errant weeds away from your tree to ensure your cherry is getting the most out of the surrounding soil.

When the third year of growth arrives, fertilize your weeping cherry with a nitrogen blend. Apply this blend once in the spring, or spread the blend into 2 to 4 equal applications spanning through early and late spring and summer seasons. The healthier your weeping cherry, the better chance you have of getting more fragrant flowers.

How Do You Prune a Weeping Cherry Tree?

Don't be intimidated by the pruning process—it's easy! All you need to do is remove any old, faded pink or white flowers in the winter to promote growth for the following season. Prune your weeping cherry tree during dormancy and, as always, remove dead, damaged or diseased branches.

FGT Tip: Always sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol for a healthy cut during pruning.

Caring for the Weeping Cherry Tree

Here are a few more tips to keep your weeping cherry tree lush and lovely.

• No serious pest or disease issues affect our weeping cherry tree, so no harsh sprays are needed. In the rare case that you do encounter issues, treat your cherry with a natural insecticidal soap or BioNeem solution. Note: If you're still deciding on which type of weeping cherry to plant, consider the disease-resistant Pink Snow Showers™ Weeping Cherry.
• The weeping cherry is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and stands strong against snow and ice. But if you experience temperatures below -10°F in your area, use a frost blanket to protect your tree during the winter.

With our care tips, you'll have springtime beauty that's hassle-free and has tons of color to elevate your gardenscape.

Learn more about this spring staple here!