Prunus serrulata ‘Mt. Fuji’ – Mt. Fuji Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree

Botanical Name: Prunus serrulata ‘Mt. Fuji’

Alternate Name: Prunus serrulata ‘Shirotae’

The Mt. Fuji Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Mt. Fuji’) is a very popular white blooming ornamental cherry tree. It is one of the first cherry trees to bloom in early spring. Another stand-out feature is its reddish copper, shiny bark. It is a small deciduous tree that develops a rounded crown with a spreading, horizontal growth habit. Also known as Prunus ‘Shirotae’, the ’Mt. Fuji’ grows to a height of 15-20 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet.

The leaves of the Mt. Fuji Flowering Cherry unfurl in the spring, pale green with a tinge of bronze. As the leaves develop in summer, they mature to a handsome dark green. They are lanceolate in shape and grow up to 4 inches long with serrated edges. In the fall, the foliage turns a variety of bright red, orange, and yellow for a beautiful display.

The dazzling blooms of this flowering cherry tree appear in March or April, before most other cherry trees bloom. The buds are pink but open to bright white, mildly fragrant flowers with a touch of pink. The semi-double flowers grow in clusters and individually measure 2 inches in diameter with 12 to 20 petals each. This ornamental cherry tree is sterile and does not produce fruit.

The Mt. Fuji Flowering Cherry makes an eye-catching focal point tree in the landscape. It also works well planted along driveways or as a lawn tree.