Wednesday Street Tree #18
Winter-flowering cherry
It had to happen sooner or later, and so here it is: the winter-flowering cherry. In London, there has been a lot of enthusiasm for planting these trees in the last few years, and now they are common right across town. They are a heartening sight in the depths of winter when they can be relied on to bloom, even if they are a little shy (they are not up there with some of the show-off spring flowering species for instance). But, rather than put on a magnificent show for a few days, winter-flowering cherries keep on flowering from November – starting even before their last autumn leaves have fallen – and continue right the way through until April.
One thing I have noticed about London’s street tree population, is that as they are starting to mature, they tend to be rather awkward, perhaps this is just their difficult teenage years, but I suspect the clones that have been planted so abundantly just might be rather poor quality. I have seen a few examples of these trees, in parks and gardens for instance, where they take on a far more classical cherry silhouette, with neater, spreading crowns. Time will tell…
I wrote some more about winter-flowering cherries on my old school blog a few years ago if you’re keen to read more. Click here for the full story.
What is it?
Winter-flowering cherry
Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’
Where is it?
Tavistock Terrace, London N19 4BZ
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Agreed, lovely and heartening winter tree - also agree about the odd ungainly look of some of the street sort. I have one in my garden and it’s fairly low, spreading parasol- like and that suits the delicacy of the flowers and branches much better. Very interesting about your cheaper clone theory, would make sense!
Lovely trees with lovelier blossoms. Very refined, not a strapping brute like an oak or yew.