Top 6+ fascinating cherry tree facts you should know
Celebrate Cherry Trees in Washington D.C.
Jefferson Memorial
Every year, more than 1.5 million people visit Washington, D.C., for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in mid-March through early April when the trees are in bloom. Check to see when this year’s celebration will be held at the festival’s official website.
You Can Grow Fresh Cherries in Your Backyard
Monarch butterfly on cherry blossoms
For fresh cherries straight off the branch, plant a sweet cherry tree. They are generally not able to pollinate themselves, so you need at least two trees—and it’s better to have three.
How to Pick the Perfect Cherry Tree
Bing cherries
Cherry trees offer two main benefits: their lovely blooms, and their recognizable fruit. Pick an ornamental if you’re interested in bunches of spring blooms, but you don’t require fruit. Ornamental varieties boast little to no fruit, but they’ll look lovely in your yard. On the other hand, look for orchard varieties for large, edible sweet or tart drupes.
Which States Grow the Most Cherries?
Cherry trees in Michigan
Sweet and tart cherries are the two varieties grown in the United States. Michigan accounts for nearly 75% of the tart production, which adds up to over 170 million pounds per year. Washington grows the most sweet fruits, with totals around 440,000 tons.
How Long Do Cherry Trees Live?
Cherry Walk in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Depending on variety and region, most cherry trees live about 20 years. The oldest ones at Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Walk have been around since 1921, and the famous trees of Washington, D.C. were first planted in 1912.
Cherry Trees Have a Short Bloom Time
Bee on cherry blossoms
While many flock to famous sites to view cherry blossoms and their beautiful colors, they don’t last long. Many bloom for only a short time each spring — one or two weeks, at most.
