Street Trees Through the Seasons - Cherry

The cherry tree, or Prunus, is in the Rosaceae family. Prunus ceracifera ‘Atropurpurea’ (Purple Leaf Plum) is a hybrid, related to natives from Southeast Europe and Asia. It has naturalized in many parts of the world, including the San Francisco Bay Area.

The tree is deciduous, and key diagnostics include alternate, simple, oblong-ovate leaves with finely serrated edges, pale undersides, and new leaves that are coppery, then fade to dark purple; flowers are clusters of fragrant single white or pink flowers in racemes that appear in late winter before the leaves; bark is thin, grayish brown with furrows; and the fruit is an edible plum that is sweet but bland.

Prunus ceracifera 'Atropurpurea' - leaf shape and habit.
This sample has a pest that is eating its leaves.

The cherry tree is tolerant of heat with moderate moisture in well-drained soil, and best suited for lawns or shrub areas away from pavement.

Winter - sillouette of bare, ascending branches against the winter sky.	Spring - blossoms in late winer,  and early spring.
Summer - deep purple leaves.	Fall - leaves persist into late fall.

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