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Okame Cherry Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide
The Okame cherry tree makes its presence known during the earliest part of the growing season. During that time, this hybrid cultivar, Prunus 'Okame,' blooms with a spectacular set of pink flowers that last for several weeks and gives a wide range of pollinators the nectar they so desperately need. After the flowers fade, this tree remains lush, with deep green foliage that transforms into a dazzling display of yellow, red, and orange in autumn.
- Offers some of the earliest springtime flowers.
- Adds eye-catching color to your garden throughout the growing season.
- Gives off a pleasing fragrance while attracting many pollinator species.
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Plant Care
Sunlight
Prefers full sunlight conditions.
Watering
Water this tree at least twice per week during establishment. Water about once per week once established.
Fertilizing
Fertilize once per growing season with a mixture with low nitrogen content.
Planting and Care
Planting instructions
Okame cherry trees are adaptable to many types of soil but require full sunlight for the best results. These trees also do best with consistent soil moisture, which is why you should water your Okame cherry tree before, during, and after the planting process.
The hole you dig for your tree should be as deep as the root ball is tall and significantly wider than the root ball in all directions. After backfilling the hole, be sure to add a layer of organic mulch to moderate soil temperature and moisture retention.
Watering and nutrients
After successfully planting your Okame cherry tree, you should continue providing plenty of water. Generally, it is best to water this tree at least twice per week or more while it is young. Once the tree is a bit older, you can reduce your watering schedule to around once per week, with the knowledge that a mature Okame cherry tree has reasonable drought tolerance. A yearly application of fertilizer that is relatively low in nitrogen will help your Okame cherry tree put forth healthy growth and a lovely set of springtime flowers.
Pollination
Not only do Okame cherry trees bloom quite early in the season, but they also tend to hold their blooms for a long time. For around three weeks in the early spring, the flowers that blanket the branches of this ornamental species can serve as a much-needed nectar source for several pollinators. However, while this tree is one that pollinator species can rely on, people rarely grow Okame cherry trees for their fruits, meaning that pollination is often of little concern.
Pruning
You can prune your Okame cherry tree to support its overall health, future growth, and ornamental qualities. Since these trees flower so early in the season, most gardeners prefer to prune them after the bloom period. Pruning too early can mean removing some of the season’s flowers, detracting from the impact this tree can have on the landscape. When you prune, remove any suckers that emerge near the base of the trunk and any branches that are dead, dying, or showing some sign of disease.
Pest, diseases, and animals
Rot is a common issue that can affect an Okame cherry tree, and it is often the result of poor soil conditions. Okame cherry trees need a relatively high amount of water. However, the soil in which these trees grow should have fantastic drainage to avoid rot. Additionally, scale, aphids, blight, and mildew can all become issues for an Okame cherry tree. Occasionally, one of several types of leaf scorch may occur in an Okame cherry tree, typically resulting in noticeable foliage discoloration.
Achieving maximum results
In most instances, an Okame cherry tree will enjoy a full sun setting. The exception is if you live in a warmer area, in which case you should give your Okame cherry tree some daily shade to encourage the best blooms.
Another way to promote excellent blooms on this tree, regardless of where you grow it, is to remove spent blooms as a part of your pruning process. Removing spent blooms will cause your Okame cherry tree to form more in the following season.
FAQs
Prefers full sunlight conditions.
Okame cherry trees typically have a medium growth rate when they receive proper conditions and maintenance. In one growing season, most Okame cherry trees will add about 12 to 24 inches of new growth. After several years, this continued growth amounts to a total mature size of about 20 to 30 feet tall with a slightly smaller spread.
Is the Okame cherry tree a hybrid plant?
While there are many naturally occurring cherry trees in existence, the Okame cherry tree is not one of them. Instead, this variety is a hybrid cultivar created to exhibit incredible ornamental qualities, including its impressive blooms. The Okame cherry tree cultivar comes from the Prunus incisa tree and the Prunus campanulata tree. Traits from both of these parent species have allowed the Okame cherry tree to be both beautiful and relatively resilient to extreme temperatures.
How long do Okame cherry trees live?
The exact age to which your Okame cherry tree lives will depend on where it grows and how well you care for it. However, even with the correct care, attention, and growing environment, Okame cherry trees are similar to most ornamental cherry trees in that they tend to have a somewhat short lifespan. In many cases, an Okame cherry tree will live no more than three to five decades.
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Customer Reviews
OkameShipped fast, packaged well, will see how it grows, looked to be healthy tree.
Mature height |
20-30 ft. |
Mature width |
20-30 ft. |
Sunlight requirement |
Full Sun |
Growth rate |
Moderate |
Botanical name |
Prunus 'Okame' |
Shipping exclusions |
AZ,CA,WA |
Grows Well In Zones |
6-9 |
Growing Zones: 6-9 i Growing zones help determine if a particular plant is likely to grow well in a location. It identifies the average annual minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. provided as a map by the USDA.
(hardy down to -10°F)You can't add more Product Name - Product size to the cart.
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