If there were no
cherry blossoms
in this world
How much more tranquil
our hearts would be in spring.

-Ariwara no Narihira

Ariwara no Narihira is one of the most celebrated Japanese poets of all time. This famous hanami (flower viewing) quote expresses the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms and the sense of loss once they disappear, a testimonial to how brief our own lives are.

Every spring, millions of people flock to festivals in Japan and Washington, D.C., to admire the stunning pink and white canopies of cherry blossom trees. But for those of us who love the taste of fresh, sweet cherries, a common question arises: do cherry blossom trees grow cherries?

The short answer is yes, but not the kind you want to eat.

While cherry fruit trees and ornamental cherry blossom trees are closely related, they have been cultivated for entirely different purposes. Here is everything you need to know about the difference between the trees that give us beautiful spring flowers and the trees that give us delicious summer fruit.

The Shared Roots of the Prunus Genus

Both cherry fruit trees and ornamental cherry blossom trees belong to the same botanical genus: Prunus. This diverse genus also includes other popular stone fruits such as plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds.

Despite sharing a genus, these trees have been selectively bred over centuries to highlight different characteristics. For example, sour baking cherries belong to the species Prunus cerasus, while the sweet cherries we love to snack on are Prunus avium. On the other hand, the famous ornamental cherry blossom trees you see lining the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., belong to varieties like Prunus serrulata (the Japanese flowering cherry) or Prunus yedoensis (the Yoshino cherry).

In short: fruiting cherry trees are cultivated for their delicious yield, while ornamental cherry trees are cultivated strictly for their spectacular floral displays.

(photo courtesy of Lynn Hopwood)

Appearance and Blooming Habits

For most of the year, both types of trees look quite similar, sharing similar leaf shapes and branch structures. However, they differ in size and, most notably, in how they bloom.

Cherry Fruit Trees

Fruiting cherry trees typically grow to be about 15 to 20 feet tall. During the spring blossom time, they produce delicate, short-lived flowers that are almost always white or a very pale blush. These simple blossoms usually feature just five petals.

The primary job of these flowers is not to look pretty for long, but to be pollinated by bees and quickly turn into fruit buds. Over a few months, those tiny buds develop into the clusters of bright red, maroon, or golden cherries that we harvest in the summer.

Cherry Blossom Trees (Ornamental)

Ornamental cherry blossom trees are generally larger, often reaching over 30 feet in height. Their blooming season lasts several weeks longer than fruit trees, and they display a spectacular variety of colours and shapes.

Because they have been bred for aesthetics, ornamental blossoms can be deep pink, pale pink, white, or even pale yellow and green. Some cultivars, such as the Kikuzakura, have been bred to produce over 100 petals on a single flower, creating a dense, carnation-like appearance.

Do Cherry Blossom Trees Grow Edible Cherries?

This is the most common question we hear at Chukar Cherries. Technically, yes, most ornamental cherry blossom trees do produce a fruit after the flowers drop.

However, because all the tree's energy has been bred to go into producing massive, complex flowers, the resulting fruit is incredibly small, consisting of little more than a large pit covered by a thin skin. These tiny cherries are exceptionally sour and bitter. While they are technically edible and are happily consumed by local birds, they are entirely useless for baking, snacking, or making chocolate covered cherries.

If you want to grow cherries you can actually eat, you must plant a designated fruiting variety.

Harvesting the Best Fruit Cherries in Washington State

At Chukar Cherries, our focus is entirely on the Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus, the sweet and tart fruiting trees that thrive in the unique microclimate of the Pacific Northwest.

Washington State is world-renowned for its cherry orchards. The volcanic soil, warm summer days, and cool nights provide the perfect growing conditions for premium fruit.

Bing Cherries

The dark, sweet Bing cherry is the most famous variety grown in the Pacific Northwest. When harvesting sweet cherries like the Bing, orchardists must be incredibly careful. Each cluster is snipped off at the stem using the thumb, forefinger, and a quick twist of the wrist.

This traditional technique protects the delicate tree buds, ensuring a healthy harvest for the following year. Once picked, these dark sweet cherries are perfect for eating fresh or being naturally dried to make our famous Classic Dark Cherries.

Rainier Cherries

The golden Rainier cherry is Washington's crown jewel. Developed in 1952 at Washington State University in Prosser, the very same town where Chukar Cherries is headquartered, the Rainier is a cross between the Bing and Van varieties. Because their thin, golden-pink skin bruises easily, Rainier cherries are handled with extreme care and are often color-picked by hand. Their exceptionally high sugar content makes them one of the most sought-after fruits in the world.

Tart Cherries

To harvest sour or tart cherries (which are softer and more delicate than sweet cherries), mechanical shakers are often used. The machines gently compel the fruit to fall into broad nets, after which they are quickly placed in hydrocoolers to chill before shipping. These tart cherries are the secret ingredient in our award-winning cherry pie fillings and preserves.

Growing Guidelines: Fruit vs. Flowers

If you are considering planting a tree in your garden, it is important to know that fruiting trees and ornamental trees require different levels of care.

Climate

Both trees prefer mild climates and cool weather. Sweet cherries grow well in USDA Zones 5–8, while sour cherries thrive in Zones 3–6. However, fruit trees are much stricter about temperature. To trigger fruiting, a cherry tree requires between 400 and 900 "chill hours" (exposure to temperatures below 45°F / 7°C) during the winter. Ornamental trees are much more forgiving and will still blossom even if the winter is mild.

Sunlight

Cherry fruit trees demand full sun for most of the day. They need massive amounts of energy to produce both flowers and sugar-rich fruits. Planting a fruit tree in partial shade will severely limit your harvest. Cherry blossom trees, while preferring full sun, adapt much better to partial shade and will still produce a beautiful floral display.

Soil and Water

Both trees are susceptible to root rot and require well-draining, loamy soil. They are not particularly thirsty trees and can often survive on rainfall alone once established. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree will help retain moisture during dry summer months.

Maintenance

Cherry fruit trees require significantly more maintenance. You must actively monitor for pests (like birds, fruit flies, and mites) and diseases (like brown rot or canker) to protect your harvest. They also require careful annual pruning during winter dormancy to open the branches to sunlight, which supports fruit ripening. Ornamental trees require far less attention, as you do not have to worry about protecting a delicate fruit crop.

A Tale of Two Trees

Whether you are admiring the 2,000-year-old Jindai Zakura blossom tree in Japan, walking beneath the historic canopy in Washington, D.C., or biting into a freshly picked Washington State Rainier cherry, the Prunus genus offers something for everyone.

Ornamental cherry blossom trees feed the soul with their fleeting spring beauty, while cherry fruit trees feed us with one of nature's most delicious summer treats.

If reading about all these cherries has made you hungry, explore our collection of naturally dried cherries and chocolate covered cherry gifts, all made fresh in Washington State using the finest fruiting cherries the Pacific Northwest has to offer.