{"id":622,"date":"2026-10-12T11:21:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=622"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:21:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:21:39","slug":"higan-cherry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/higan-cherry\/","title":{"rendered":"Higan Cherry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Prunus<\/span> subhirtella<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Higan Cherry is a graceful flowering tree native to Japan. Known for its delicate blossoms, elegant branching habit, and exceptional longevity, it<\/span> is<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> popular<\/span> ornamental<\/span> cherries<\/span> cultivated<\/span> throughout<\/span> the<\/span> world.<\/span> Unlike<\/span> some<\/span> ornamental<\/span> cherries<\/span> that<\/span> bloom<\/span> over<\/span> a<\/span> short<\/span> period,<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for<\/span> its<\/span> relatively<\/span> long<\/span> flowering<\/span> season<\/span> and<\/span> reliable<\/span> spring<\/span> display.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many cultivated weeping cherries are derived from or closely<\/span> associated<\/span> with<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry,<\/span> making<\/span> the<\/span> species<\/span> important<\/span> both<\/span> horticulturally<\/span> and<\/span> historically.<\/span> Its<\/span> beauty<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability<\/span> have<\/span> earned<\/span> it<\/span> a<\/span> place<\/span> in<\/span> parks,<\/span> campuses,<\/span> gardens,<\/span> and<\/span> arboretums<\/span> across<\/span> North<\/span> America.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Oval<\/span> to<\/span> elliptical<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Finely<\/span> serrated<\/span> margins<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bronze<\/span> or<\/span> reddish<\/span> when<\/span> emerging<\/span> in<\/span> spring<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Glossy<\/span> green<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Yellow,<\/span> orange,<\/span> and<\/span> red<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Smooth<\/span> reddish-brown<\/span> to<\/span> gray-brown<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Prominent<\/span> horizontal<\/span> lenticels<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Attractive<\/span> year-round<\/span> appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Pale<\/span> pink<\/span> to<\/span> nearly<\/span> white<\/span> blossoms<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bloom<\/span> in<\/span> early<\/span> spring<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Flowers<\/span> emerge<\/span> before<\/span> or<\/span> with<\/span> the<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Produced<\/span> in<\/span> clusters<\/span> along<\/span> the<\/span> branches<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Small<\/span> dark<\/span> cherries<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Typically<\/span> less<\/span> than<\/span> \u00bd<\/span> inch<\/span> in<\/span> diameter<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Produced<\/span> after<\/span> flowering<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Consumed<\/span> by<\/span> birds<\/span> and<\/span> other<\/span> wildlife<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 20<\/span> to<\/span> 40<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 15<\/span> to<\/span> 30<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Forms<\/span> a<\/span> rounded<\/span> or<\/span> vase-shaped<\/span> crown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> is<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> Japan,<\/span> where<\/span> it<\/span> grows<\/span> in<\/span> woodlands<\/span> and<\/span> mountainous<\/span> regions.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> and<\/span> serves<\/span> as<\/span> the<\/span> parent<\/span> species<\/span> for<\/span> numerous<\/span> ornamental<\/span> cherry<\/span> cultivars<\/span> planted<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Within<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum,<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> is<\/span> classified<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Although<\/span> not<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> North<\/span> America,<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> provides<\/span> valuable<\/span> seasonal<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> wildlife<\/span> and<\/span> pollinators.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Honeybees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Its<\/span> fruits<\/span> are<\/span> consumed<\/span> by:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Songbirds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Small<\/span> mammals<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Other<\/span> wildlife<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The<\/span> tree<\/span> also<\/span> provides<\/span> nesting<\/span> habitat<\/span> and<\/span> seasonal<\/span> cover<\/span> for<\/span> birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> has<\/span> long<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> ornamental<\/span> tree<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> its:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Abundant<\/span> spring<\/span> flowers<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Attractive<\/span> branching<\/span> structure<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Colorful<\/span> fall<\/span> foliage<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> landscape<\/span> settings<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Longevity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  The<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> closely<\/span> associated<\/span> with<\/span> the<\/span> tradition<\/span> of<\/span> cherry<\/span> blossom<\/span> viewing<\/span> and<\/span> has<\/span> played<\/span> an<\/span> important<\/span> role<\/span> in<\/span> ornamental<\/span> horticulture<\/span> throughout<\/span> Japan<\/span> and<\/span> beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Numerous<\/span> cultivars<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> developed<\/span> from<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry,<\/span> including<\/span> several<\/span> popular<\/span> weeping<\/span> forms<\/span> frequently<\/span> planted<\/span> in<\/span> parks,<\/span> cemeteries,<\/span> gardens,<\/span> and<\/span> campuses.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Higan Cherry contributes seasonal<\/span> beauty<\/span> and<\/span> horticultural<\/span> diversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Its<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms<\/span> provide<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> earliest<\/span> and<\/span> most<\/span> anticipated<\/span> floral<\/span> displays<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> year,<\/span> while<\/span> its<\/span> attractive<\/span> form<\/span> and<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span> contribute<\/span> interest<\/span> throughout<\/span> multiple<\/span> seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  As<\/span> a<\/span> non-native<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species,<\/span> Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span> illustrates<\/span> the<\/span> influence<\/span> of<\/span> cultivated<\/span> landscape<\/span> trees<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> campus<\/span> environment<\/span> and<\/span> complements<\/span> the<\/span> arboretum’s<\/span> collection<\/span> of<\/span> flowering<\/span> trees<\/span> from<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Higan<\/span> Cherry<\/span>
                  \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Prunus<\/span> subhirtella<\/span><\/em>
                  \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Rosaceae<\/span>
                  \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 20-40<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 15-30<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span>
                  \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                  \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Moist,<\/span> well-drained<\/span> soils<\/span>
                  \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> 5-8<\/span>
                  \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> March<\/span> to<\/span> April<\/span>
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Small<\/span> dark<\/span> cherries<\/span> produced<\/span> after<\/span> flowering<\/span>
                  \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> provides<\/span> fruit<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span> and<\/span> small<\/span> mammals<\/span>
                  \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Early<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms,<\/span> attractive<\/span> bark,<\/span> colorful<\/span> fall<\/span> foliage,<\/span> and<\/span> importance<\/span> in<\/span> ornamental<\/span> cherry<\/span> cultivation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Prunus subhirtella Overview The Higan Cherry is a graceful flowering tree native to Japan. Known for its delicate blossoms, elegant branching habit, and exceptional longevity, it is one of the most popular ornamental cherries cultivated throughout the world. Unlike some ornamental cherries that bloom over a short period, Higan Cherry is valued for its relatively<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-622","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=622"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/622\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":623,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/622\/revisions\/623"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}