60. Hisakura Cherry
Rosaceae
Prunus serrulata 'Choshu-hisakura'
Specimen Size: 30.5ft tall, 18.25in in diameter.
Location: A double row of nine Hisakura cherry trees introduces Rainier Vista, between Suzzallo Library and Gerberding Hall.
Historical Background: There are numerous cultivars of the Japanese flowering cherry, one of which is the less common, Hisakura cherry. Most of the cultivars are fruitless and vary based on flower color and form. This species is a popular ornamental amongst gardeners, but only a few of Hisakura are planted.
Native Range: China, Japan, Korea
Identifying Features: Hisakura is an extremely rare Japanese flowering cherry that differs from common kwanzan in blooming earlier, not having pompom-weight flowers, growing broader, staying smaller and more dense, and in having narrower leaves less fringed on the edges. Its chief virtues are its earlier bloom and lesser space requirements. These are the only campus specimens, and the variety is not available at nurseries.
Below is the description found for this species on the original Brockman Memorial Tree Tour:
Historic Tree Tour Information: A double row of nine Hisakura cherry trees introduces Rainier Vista, between Suzzallo Library and Gerberding Hall. Hisakura is an extremely rare Japanese flowering cherry that differs from common kwanzan in blooming earlier, not having pompom-weight flowers, growing broader, staying smaller and more dense, and in having narrower leaves less fringed on the edges. Its chief virtues are its earlier bloom and lesser space requirements. These are the only campus specimens, and the variety is not available at nurseries.
