Okame Cherry Tree

Okame cherry (‘Okame’) is a small deciduous flowering hybrid with a crown that is upright when young and rounds with age. Rosy-pink, mildly fragrant blossoms cover bare branches in early spring, followed by green leaves and bronzy red-to-orange fall color. [J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.](https://jfschmidt.com/all-trees/trees/okame-cherry/) · [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-okame/) ## Site and Seasonal Interest Plant in full sun to partial shade, protecting it from hot afternoon or reflected heat. It adapts to many soil textures, including clay, as long as drainage is good. Mature size is commonly listed around 20 to 30 feet; allow room for a 20 to 30-foot spread. The early flowers can be damaged by a late freeze, but the tree is useful as a specimen, patio accent, or pathway tree. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-okame/) · [Oregon State University](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/prunus-okame) ## Maintenance Prune lightly after the scaffold branches are established, shaping the canopy only as needed. Remove vigorous suckers emerging below the graft because they will not carry the same flowers. Refresh organic mulch around the root zone each year to help keep roots cool and moist. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-okame/)