Prunus serrula, called birch bark cherry, birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, or Tibetan cherry, is a species of cherry native to China, and is used as an ornamental in many parts of the world for its striking coppery-red bark.
Description
Prunus serrula is a small deciduous tree, often with multiple stems, reaching a height of . The leaves are arranged alternately, simple, 5–10 cm long and 1.5–2.0 cm broad and a serrate margin.
The smooth bark is a brownish red, with prominent horizontal
. The outer layer of the bark is remarkably tough, approaching the strength of
Mylar.
Flowers
The flowers, typical of
Prunus, are produced in clusters of one to three. The fruit is a small oval bright red
drupe.
Cultivation
Prunus serrula is grown as an
ornamental tree, especially for winter interest. It tolerates a variety of soil types and has a wide pH range. It prefers full sun and does well in USDA
hardiness zones 5 to 8. Its potential as an invasive species is low, as it is susceptible to many common garden diseases and pests such as
fire blight,
powdery mildew and
Japanese beetles.
It is sometimes grafting to Prunus serrulata (Japanese cherry) crowns, forming a tree with red bark and showier flowers.
In 2012 the 'Branklyn' variety gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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