Cherry trees are prized for their spring blooms, but their leaves deserve appreciation too. Getting to know the range of cherry leaf shapes, colors and features can help you identify different varieties. This photo guide provides an overview of typical cherry tree leaf characteristics.
Common Traits
Most cherry tree leaves share some similar qualities:
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Arrangement that changes: Leaves come out one at a time, alternating sides along stems and branches.
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Deciduous – Cherry trees drop their leaves in fall to conserve energy in winter.
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Petioles – Leaves attach to stems via petioles (leaf stems) around 2-4 inches long
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Stipules – Tiny leafy structures called stipules grow where petioles meet stems.
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Simple shape – Leaves have a single undivided blade.
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Toothed margins – Edges have small rounded serrations.
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Netted veins – Undersides reveal netted veins.
Size and Shape Variations
Cherry leaf sizes range widely from under 1 inch to over 7 inches depending on variety. Shapes also differ between types
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Wild cherries have oval, pointed leaves.
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Sweet cherries are wider, elliptic to oblong.
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Sour cherries are more slender, lanceolate.
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Ornamental cherries often have broader, heart or fan shapes.
Color Range
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Young leaves can emerge reddish, turning green.
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Mature leaves are generally medium to dark green.
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Some ornamental varieties have reddish-bronze, purple-tinged or variegated leaves.
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Fall foliage ranges from yellow to red depending on cultivar.
Surface Textures
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Sweet and sour cherries have glossy leaves.
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Wild and ornamental cherries usually have dull finishes.
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Some ornamentals have hairy leaves.
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Undersides may be smooth or fuzzy along veins.
Photographing Cherry Leaves
Cherry leaves make great photo subjects to capture their diverse forms and hues. Tips include:
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Focus on the uniqueness of each variety – heart-shaped, giant, dwarf etc.
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Capture the color gradation through a tree’s foliage.
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Backlight or illuminate leaves to emphasize venation.
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Capture fresh spring growth and autumn tones.
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Isolate single leaves or small groups with soft backgrounds.
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Include leaves with flowers or fruit.
Cherry Leaf Identification
Even though cherry blossoms get more attention, the leaves add a lot of variety in color, shape, size, texture, arrangement, and arrangement. Taking note of and photographing these details helps you understand and name the different types of cherry trees that exist.
Examples of Common Cherry Tree Leaf Types
Here are some examples of popular cherry tree leaf varieties:
Yoshino Cherry
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Delicate oval leaves with pointy tips
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Alternate arrangement on stems
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Fine serrations along edges
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Glossy medium green color
Weeping Cherry
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Oval leaves with long pointed tips
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Alternate arrangement
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Doubly serrated edges
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Smooth, dull finish
Kwanzan Cherry
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Broad oval leaves up to 5 inches long
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Pointed tips and tapered bases
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Coarsely serrated edges
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Glossy green on top, paler below
Pin Cherry
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Oval, elliptical leaves 1-3 inches long
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Finely serrated edges
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Smooth, shiny surface
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Brilliant autumn tones
Black Cherry
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Oblong oval leaves 3-5 inches long
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Pointed tips, rounded bases
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Doubly serrated edges
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Dull, dark green color
Sour Cherry
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Lance-shaped, slender leaves
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Pointed tips, tapered bases
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Finely serrated edges
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Glossy medium green
Even though cherry trees are known for their flowers, their leaves are interesting all year long because they come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and arrangements. Taking the time to notice and photograph these details helps you understand and appreciate the many types of cherry trees that are already in existence.
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- 1 Study the flowers. Flower buds on a cherry tree are either white or pink, and they don’t smell. They grow in groups, with each flower stalk coming out of the middle. The flowers of cherry trees also have long stamens that stick out. [1] This unique flower growth pattern of clusters is a key way to tell cherry trees apart from other trees that have similar traits. For instance, peach trees only have one flower, while almond trees have two. Cherries are likely to flower early in the spring. Later in the spring, they make clusters of pale green berries.
- 2 Examine the petals. On cherry trees, each single flower has 5 petals. Half-double flowers have six to ten petals, while double flowers have ten or more petals. Each petal of a cherry tree has a small cleft in it, but plum petals are smooth. [2] Advertisement .
- 3 Count the styles. The styles of a cherry tree are the long tubes that connect to the ovary of the flower. They are different from the stems. The part of the tree that makes the fruit is the ovary. Each cherry tree blossom has only one style. Some trees, like flowering crab trees, look a lot like cherry trees. When crab trees flower, though, each flower has four to five styles. Apple and pear trees have two to five. Mespil trees have five. If the flowers are only on one style when you look at the tree more closely, that’s a good sign that it’s a cherry tree.
- 4 Examine the fruit. Ornamental cherry tree varieties do not produce fruit. Cherry trees that bear fruit have fruit that hangs down and grows in pairs or clusters. The fruit hangs where the flowers did before. In late spring, the fruit will be small, pale green, and In late summer, the cherries get larger and redder. Cherry trees that don’t grow red fruit sometimes make yellow or black fruit instead. If you look closely at the fruit, you should be able to tell a cherry tree from other fruit trees like apple trees or cherry plum trees. Cherry fruit is rounder in shape than either of these. You can be pretty sure it’s a cherry if the fruit is less than ¾ of an inch across. Plums and cherry plums are usually bigger, at least an inch across.
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How To Identify A Cherry Tree By Its Leaves? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
How do I identify cherry tree leaves?
The cherry tree’s leaves are toothed. They are oval shaped, and they have a point at the tip. There are serrated margins on the leaves.
What’s the difference between a cherry tree and a cherry bush?
Bush cherry plants are smaller than regular cherry trees. While they’re excellent as windbreaks, their impressive foliage and gorgeous blooms make them pretty useful as ornamentals. Most varieties of bush cherries start producing within a few years of planting.
How to identify a wild cherry tree?
To identify a wild cherry tree, focus on its bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The bark is typically reddish-brown with horizontal lines (lenticels) that can peel in older trees. Leaves are oval, pointed, and finely toothed, often with rusty hairs along the midrib on the underside. Flowers are white and appear in clusters in the spring.
What trees are mistaken for cherry blossoms?
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca), peaches (P. persica), and nectarines (also P. persica) have showy spring blossoms that all resemble cherries. They may be white or pink, depending on the cultivar or hybrid.
How many cherry tree leaves photos are available?
Browse 10,927 cherry tree leaves photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more. Browse Getty Images’ premium collection of high-quality, authentic Cherry Tree Leaves stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures.
Are cherry tree leaves stock photos royalty-free?
453,690 cherry tree leaves stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free. See cherry tree leaves stock video clips.
What does a cherry tree look like?
Ornamental cherry leaves are often broader, heart or fan-shaped. Young leaves often emerge reddish, turning green as they mature. Mature cherry leaves are generally a medium to dark green. Some ornamental varieties have reddish-bronze, purple-tinged or variegated leaves. Fall foliage color ranges from yellow to red depending on the cultivar.
How do you identify a cherry tree leaf?
Cherry tree leaves have distinct features that make them easy to identify: Edge: Serrated or toothed edges enhance their appearance. Surface: Glossy texture contributes to their vibrancy. Petiole: A short stem attaches the leaf to the branch. In spring and summer, cherry tree leaves add to the landscape’s lushness.
What are cherry tree leaves?
Cherry tree leaves are more than just a backdrop to their stunning blooms. They add a vibrant touch to your garden or landscape throughout the seasons. Whether you’re drawn to the delicate shapes or the rich colors that change with the weather, there’s something truly special about these leaves.
What do cherry trees look like in the fall?
Cherry tree leaves turn orange, golden-yellow, bronze, and red colors in the fall. During the summer, when their leaves are thick, many types of cherry trees (Prunus) make great shade trees for gardens, parks, and residential streets. The bark of cherry trees is brown to gray and has horizontal cuts in it.