Prunus sargentii aka Sargent's Cherry

Prunus sargentii, or Sargent cherry, belongs to the rose family. Its native range spans eastern Russia, Korea, and Japan. This tree sheds its leaves each year and grows fast. Garden trees reach about 20–40 feet [6–12 metres] tall. Their crowns can spread about as wide as their height. Some trees reach 75 feet [23 metres]. The RHS also reports heights above 39 feet [12 metres]. The dense crown may be rounded, spreading, or vase-shaped.

The bark shines in shades of red and chestnut brown. Rows of lenticels run across its smooth-looking surface. Slender, hairless twigs range from red to gray-brown. Small, pointed buds have a red-brown tint. The simple leaves grow one at a time along stems. Their edges have sharp teeth, and their tips taper. New leaves show bronze, purple, or red tones. They turn glossy dark green, with pale undersides. Fall brings yellow, orange, bronze, or red leaf color.

Pink flowers open before the leaves in small spring clusters. Each single flower has five petals and a cup-like shape. Bloom falls in March and April in Chicago. UConn records flowers in early May. Small drupes ripen from early summer into midsummer. Their skins turn dark purple to black and look glossy. Birds visit the tree for its fruit. The bitter cherries are not suitable for eating fresh. NC State also flags risks to cats, dogs, and horses.

Grow this cherry in full sun for its best performance. It also tolerates some shade and wind. Give it moist soil that drains well, with moderate fertility. It grows in loam, sand, clay, and chalk. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils can all suit it. It tolerates some drought but dislikes high heat and humidity. Leaves may scorch during hot summers, even in full sun. Sources place its cold limit between USDA zones 3b and 5. Chicago lists zones 5–8; the RHS gives it H6.

Use it for shade, street planting, or a lawn specimen. Groups also suit buffer strips and parking areas. Its leaves feed Eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars. Deer can damage it, despite its low upkeep needs. It resists many cherry pests, but problems still occur. Caterpillars, leaf miners, aphids, borers, and mites may attack. Diseases include silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt. The RHS flags it as a high-risk host for Xylella. Prune in midsummer where silver leaf poses a problem.