Okame Cherry Tree

Prunus x yedoensis 'Okame'

The Okame Cherry Tree explodes with pink color so early in the spring that often we see it with a light dusting of snow. The masses of flowers are small enough that the winds do not blow them off the tree. When they do begin to drop the ground below is covered with pink. The leaves a one of our favorite fall colors as well

Growzone: 5-9

As Low As $89.95

1. Choose Size & Quantity

Size	Price	Quantity
4 - 5 feet	$89.95
5 -6 feet	$109.95

2. Choose Recommended Add-Ons

Product	Price	Quantity
Espoma Bio-Tone Plus Starter Plus	$14.95
15" Tree Staking kit by DeWitt	$14.95
Treegator Watering Bag	$27.95

This Plants Growzone: 5-9

Growing Zone:	5-9
Mature Height:	20 to 30 feet
Mature Width:	20 to 25 feet
Classification:	Broad Leaved deciduous tree, Spring flowering
Sunlight:	Full Sun
Habit:	Upright, umbrella shaped canopy
Foliage:	Dark Green, brilliant bronze-orange fall color
Flower Color:	Carmine-Pink, Very floriferous
Pruning Season:	No pruning needed
Soil Condition:	Any well drained soil
Water Requirements:	Water well until established
Uses:	Tolerates moist soil and full sun. Full sun brings out the best fall color. Will adapt to drier sites

Okame Cherry Tree for Sale Online

Get a jump on spring weather with the Okame Cherry Tree, the first Pink Flowered Japanese Cherry tree to open its flowers in Spring often as early as Valentine's day.

Okame Cherry Tree Highlights

The most heat, humidity, and drought tolerant flowering cherry
Early spring bloomer with beautiful pink blossoms that cover the branches
Showy yellow, orange and red leaves in the fall

Full Description

Early Spring Flowers from Okame Cherry

Get a jump on warm weather with the Okame Cherry Tree, the first Japanese Cherry tree to open its flowers in Spring. Plant this small to medium-sized tree near your porch or patio so you can enjoy the light, sweet fragrance of its flowers, too, which attract pollinators. Okame Cherry Tree is the star of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. Tourists from all over the world arrive by the thousands to witness the awe inspiring show of the Okame Cherries in bloom. Now you can enjoy the same beautiful pink burst of color and fragrance in your own garden!

Soil Conditions & Light Exposure for the Okame Cherry Tree

The Okame Flowering Cherry tree thrives in full to part sun and loose, well drained, moist soil. However, this tree can tolerate drought, heat, and humidity and is adaptable to a variety of soils.

Uses for the Okame Cherry Tree

The Okame Cherry tree has something to offer in every season, from its early spring blooms to red-bronze bark that steals the show in the winter. These are the most common uses

Perfect focal point.
Great tree for lining a driveway or planting in groups
Good choice for small yards

Fertilizing Okame Cherry Trees

Tree. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect.

If chemical fertilizers are used on your Okame Cherry Tree, applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once a year is probably the simplest solution.There are many slow-release fertilizers on the market. If you can find a fertilizer formulated for shrubs and trees, this fertilizer would work well on Okame Cherry Tree. However, slow-release is certainly not the only way to fertilizer trees . A less expensive fast release fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 will work just as well if applied twice during the early spring and early summer.If you are looking for a fertilizing routine tailored to your specific conditions, a soil sample should be taken and the fertilizer and trace elements matched to the needs of your soil.

Don't fertilize Okame Cherry Tree after August. Fall is the time for plants to begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. In the South, a late May application and another in July would be about right. More northern areas may wish to fertilize only once in June or July. The amount of chemical fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant and it's root system.

How do I prevent over fertilization?

Over-fertilization can be much more detrimental than under-fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the Okame Cherry Tree. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much.

If you are a beginner at growing plants Okame Cherry Tree is very easy to grow however it may be helpful to know that a very small plant which is planted in the ground will take about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of fertilizer. A very large tree in the ground will take 2 - 3 lbs spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk). This is a very loose estimate, so please read the directions on the fertilizer before applying it.

What do the numbers on fertilizer bags represent?

When looking at most fertilizers, they are described by three numbers on the bag. An example would be 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. The first of these three numbers refers to Nitrogen, which is the primary element necessary for good, balanced growth within the Okame Cherry Tree. Plants that are deficient in Nitrogen are usually not growing vigorously, and sometimes exhibit pale colored foliage as in the case of magnolias. Not all Nitrogen deficiencies result in stunted growth. Sometimes, the growth is taller and longer with less than desirable branching when Nitrogen is deficient.

The second number in the fertilizer equation is representative of Phosphorus. A deficiency of Phosphorus may affect the energy transfer in the plant, and result in stunted growth as well. Also, plants with insufficient amounts of Phosphorus may have poorer root systems.

Potassium is the element represented by the third number on the fertilizer bag. Plants that are deficient in Potassium, are usually growing more slowly than normal, have fewer flowers and seed, and are more susceptible to disease than plants with adequate levels of Potassium. Although the three elements just mentioned are the major elements necessary for good plant performance, there some minor elements that are just as important in consideration of plant nutrition.

Minor elements that are not included in the three numbers listing on the front of fertilizer bags are very important considerations when choosing your trees fertilizer. Elements such as Magnesium, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, and Molybdenum play very important roles in providing gardenias with adequate nutrition. Many times, less expensive fertilizers are sold that contain only the major elements needed, but not the minor elements. Always be sure to look on the fertilizer label on the back of the bag to see exactly what is included in the fertilizer.

How should I apply fertilizer?

When you have selected your fertilizer and are ready to apply it, be sure to rake your mulch back to the drip line of each plant. Apply the fertilizer according to the label directions immediately on top of the soil, and be sure to water the plant thoroughly after the application. You can then rake the mulch back around the base of the Okame Cherry Tree. Although it is tempting to spend less time by not raking the mulch back during fertilization, the results will be less than desirable, if the fertilizer is applied on top of the mulch. Proper fertilization of your Okame Cherry Tree will lead to healthier and more disease resistant plants, as well as provide you with many more enjoyable blooms. Always, read the label on your fertilizer bag, and follow the instructions.

Planting Information

Follow these guidelines for the best results

Step 1: Planting

Remove a container-grown tree carefully from its pot and, if your tree's roots are balled and wrapped, carefully remove the wrapping. Water a container-grown or balled tree well before you begin, because this helps keep soil in place around the roots. Place the tree in a pre-dug hole that's at least 1 foot wider in diameter than its roots, ensuring that you plant the tree at the same depth as it was earlier. Backfill the hole with soil amended with compost and water the tree well, ensuring that there are no air pockets around its roots.|We highly recommend that you mulch your Okame Cherry Tree with either a ground hardwood mulch or a ground cypress mulch depending on your local availability. Any type of mulch will do but cypress or hardwood mulch will be of a higher quality and provide better nutrition overall as they breakdown. Mulching helps to keep weeds away which will compete with your new investment for water and nutrients. A 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch is sufficient but remember to take care not to cover any part of the stem of the plant with mulch. Its better to leave a one inch gap of space between the mulch and the stem or trunk of the plant.

Step 2: Fertilize

Trees such as Okame Cherry Tree grow best if they are fertilized lightly in the spring once frost has passed with a well-balanced, extended-release, fertilizer such as espoma Tree-tone. Fertilize Okame Cherry Tree again 6 to 8 weeks later to encourage denser foliage or faster growth of young trees. We recommend Bio-Tone fertilizer when planting. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully with Okame Cherry Tree.

Step 3: Water

Once the tree is planted, it's critical to give it adequate water to help its roots recover and send out new sprouts. Water the tree every 3 days for the first few weeks, then water weekly, aiming for at least 1 inch of water each week. If you plant your tree when weather is warm, it's a good idea to check the soil under the tree every few days to ensure it never becomes completely dry.

Frequently Asked questions

How do I prune Okame Cherry Trees?

In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to trees, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified. Pruning has been described as a “combination of art and science.” I find pruning to be one of the most relaxing yet rewarding chores in the garden. Pruning a specific plant to look a specific way, involves art in creating a unique definition for a specific plant, and it involves science in understanding the physical growing habits of the plant to be pruned. The most important reason for pruning tree is to improve the overall health of the plant which in turn will reward you with a plethora of blooms. Many times, trees that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or degenerative twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies and produce flowers. It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning Okame Cherry Tree or any plant for that matter. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened if necessary before pruning any plant. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease investing a cut during pruning. It is generally recommended to not use power equipment such as gas hedgers to prune Okame Cherry Tree. Pruning large Okame Cherry Tree may be minor or major. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Large Magnolia Centennial Blush Tree that have been severely pruned have the advantage of a large root system that has excessive capacity, and its roots are capable of supplying all of its energies to a smaller number of branches and foliage. This enables the plant to increase its vigor, and become healthier. Pruning large Okame Cherry Tree that are well established will enable the plant to have continued vigor, and lead to many more years of supplying beauty to the landscape.