City Trees

July/August 2016

City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!

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Tree of Merit: Manchurian Cherry (Prunus maackii) 40 City Trees Of all the cherry tree taxa that are used in the urban environment, Manchurian cherry (or amur chokecherry, as it is also known) (Prunus maackii) is one of the most memorable and recognizable. Like most ornamental cherries, this species produces showy spring flowers—in this case, white and fra- grant. It has notable glossy black cherry fruits beginning in late summer. However, seeing a Manchurian cherry tree, even at a distance, demonstrates the real reason this tree has made it into the urban forest—gorgeous, shiny, sometimes exfoliating, amber to cinnamon-colored bark. Native to northern China and parts of Russia and Korea, this small to medium-sized tree typically does not exceed a height of 30 feet (10 m) and width of 25 feet (7.6 m). It is hardy to Zone 2b, so it is known for its formidable cold-tolerance! It is not recommended in warmer climates according to Dr. Michael Dirr, and I've seen other references indicating its upper zone limit to be 6b in terms of heat tolerance. Some sources say it possesses reasonable drought tolerance once established, provided it's growing in its preferred cool climate. Generally less susceptible to the pests that afflict other cherry trees, it is able to withstand a variety of urban soil conditions, including alkalinity and acidity. Other pluses in the Manchurian cherry column include that it needs little pruning to have good structure, birds love the fruits, and it can be grown multi-stem or single stem. The abun- dant fruit may make it unsuitable for planting over sidewalks and streets, favoring park lawn or garden locations. So the next time the opportunity to select trees presents itself, give some thought to the underutilized cherry that is planted not for its flowers, but for its bark. —Rick Harper, Extension Assistant Professor of Urban & Community Forestry, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Prunus maackii foliage • Photo by Nancy Buley Trunk and flowers of a Manchurian cherry tree growing in Alaska • Photo by Stephen Nickel Prunus maackii winter silhouette • Photo Courtesy of Northwest Shade Trees The mature bark of Manchurian cherry, showing some light exfoliation. • Photo by Nancy Buley

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