Cherry Blossom Tree Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Cherry Blossom Tree
  • Common Name: Cherry Blossom Tree
  • Total Species: 40+
  • Genus: Prunus
  • Tribe: Amygdaleae
  • Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • Order: Rosales

15 Cherry Blossom Tree Facts for Kids

  1. A cherry blossom tree is a tree species in the Prunus genus that produces cherry blossom flowers.
  2. There are around 335 species in the Prunus genus, but not all of them produce cherries. Some species produce plums, peaches, apricots and almonds.
  3. Cherry bloom trees are distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere where the climate is temperate.
  4. The cherry blossom tree is a perennial flowering plant.
  5. Most cherry blossom trees reach an average height between 40 and 50 feet, though it can vary by species.
  6. Most cherry blossom trees have a lifespan between 30 and 40 years, though it can vary by species.
  7. The black cherry tree (Prunus serotine) is estimated to have a lifespan of up to 250 years and able to reach a maximum height of 80 feet.
  8. Most cherry blossom trees produce flowers that are between a white and light pink color. There are some species that produce flowers that are yellow or green.
  9. The most popular cherry blossom tree species is the Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulate). This species is a popular ornamental plant in gardens, parks and other recreational locations.
  10. All cherry blossom tree species produce fruit, but only two species are primary used to grow edible cherries.
  11. The wild cherry (Prunus avium) species is commercially grown for its sweet red cherries.
  12. The tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) species is commercially grown for its sour red cherries.
  13. The cherries produced by cherry blossom trees, whether edible or not, are called a drupe.
  14. Some cherry blossom tree species are cultivated for their lumber, like the black cherry tree.
  15. Based on fossil evidence, cherry blossom trees first appeared around 44.3 million years ago.

Additional Resources on Cherry Blossom Trees

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