Carolina Cherry Care Guide
The Carolina Cherry tree (Prunus caroliana) is one of the best evergreens you can find for creating privacy. It features glossy, dark-green leaves. It grows naturally in a dense, upright oval form, though it is often pruned into a hedge or screen. Carolina Cherry has a slower growth rate and requires little maintenance to look good. These are lovely trees that yield dense, fragrant clusters of showy, creamy white flowers in the spring. To some, the foliage has a scent that reminds them of maraschino cherries. It is an excellent street tree and is excellent for a border. These trees withstand heat, dry conditions, wind, and are very durable once established.
Where to Plant Carolina Cherry:
Carolina Cherry is a cold hardy evergreen that grows in warmer climates, too. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. This ornamental tree thrives in the heat and a location with full sun exposure (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day). It can also grow in a location with partial shade exposure. This is also a superb topiary tree that can be formed into conical shapes, columnar shapes, and standard rectangular forms for formal gardens. It has a near perfect shape so that it is also a sensational privacy hedge or windbreak. It tolerates urban growing conditions and drought, too. It has shallow, non-aggressive roots. Soil requirements range from sandy loam to clay loam. Be sure to grow in well-drained soil.
Watering:
Follow a regular watering schedule during its first growing season. Doing this can help it to establish a deep, extensive root system. Deep soak around the root ball. Install emitters about one and a half feet from the trunk. If using a water hose, set the hose on a slow trickle so that it can thoroughly saturate the root ball. Be sure not to over water and that there is no standing water. Once established, Carolina Cherry needs only occasional watering. It does best with supplemental water during periods of extreme heat.
Fertilizing:
For best results, apply Moon Dust three times a year. So that you can remember easier, we recommend fertilizing with Moon Dust on Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Valentine’s Day. Apply Moon Juice every month. Those that live in Arizona and Nevada should supplement with our Soil and Water Conditioner because the water in these states is high in salt. You can purchase these beneficial fertilizers at any of our nursery locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.
Trimming:
Carolina Cherry trees grow to an A-frame (pyramidal) shape, so there is minimal pruning required. For a neat and tidy appearance, shear it annually to shape, and do it at the beginning of the growing season. If you plan to do any trimming in the summer, be sure that you never take off more than ten percent. The ‘Compacta’ variety stays short and compact. It can grow to be up to 10-feet tall.
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