Flowering Cherry Massive Roots!

I see this tree in a lot of my complexes and I'm always amazed at how huge the surface roots are. Beautiful tree but (or should I say butt), with problems.

[@sameanrodriguez9470]

That is a gorgeous tree...I have the Kwanzan Cherry Blossom. If I had a bigger yard, I would get this white one too.

[@rorylobban4789]

Hey Blair ! How about a video on how the grafting is done and the reason for it? I think that would be interesting. For me at least! 🌳😊

[@dylanatkinson1426]

Great video. Thanks. Have you ever propagated flowering cherries from root cuttings? It seems when they are cut down to ground level and no stump treated perform, the roots will produce suckers as far as 10yrds from the main stump.

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Flowering cherries are almost always grafted trees so the root stock is different.

[@dylanatkinson1426]

Yeah I accept that. However in my situation, the trees I referring to were planted probably 30-40 years ago and because they weren’t for agricultural purposes very few were grafted. And because we have too few frozen days ornamental cherries and most other plants needing freezing conditions to stimulate abundant spring blossoms, they aren’t popular enough for nurseries to bother stocking them. The specific trees I’m interested in are only surviving now as numerous erosion exposed roots, with multiple suckers with the hallmark wine coloured leaves. The roots are sending up suckers which are true to the cultivar so I’m guessing the original trees planted weren’t grafted.

[@quoc00]

That is for the house main clean water supply. There are no reasons to do anything unless it leaks. Once leak, even just a droplet of water per few seconds, water would pool at the surface over time and we would know. I’m a plumber.

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Always good to get feedback from someone who knows

[@3AM9mm]

thank you for the excellent info

[@TexasTc05]

I have a question I have a cherry blossom tree can you trim back the roots a little? Also i think I have that issue where the current tree is keeping the other stumps alive but the roots are about 15ft to 20 ft away from the tree or it could be from one of the other stumps that maybe fused it self to the one alive maybe? I am still learning all of this but I am trying to avoid cutting it down because its beautiful

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Hi Tanya, without seeing the tree, it is a bit irresponsible to advise. Sorry but thanks for your comment.

[@63256325N]

The big question is, what's her budget? Hope you can save the tree.

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Either way, it won't break the bank. The time it will take to grow a replacement tree here is just as important. She clearly loves the tree. Her decision to remove is based on fear. Maybe we can make this a win?

[@76bluewolf76]

We have one in our front yard and it's root system is sprouting saplings. Common? And can those saplings be transplanted

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Not transplantable because they are growing from your tree’s root.

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Is it possible to just remove the one root leading to the waterline ? If it is grafted to the one's across the other side of the driveway it wont really stop the growth will it ?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Not likely root grafted that far away. Hoping she opts to trench the pipe and sever any offending roots.

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Agree that would be best..it is a beautiful tree. Thanks Doug..BSafe

[@martinspijker9661]

any idea what she disyded? what a wonderfull tree..

[@BeautifulMaplesAndShrubs]

I wanted to plant one in my yard. Did you happen to know what variety of the flowering cherry was that - Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis? Does it bloom twice a year?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Sometimes I only see a tree for a day. Identifying a specific cultivar needs seeing it over a period of time or asking the owner.

[@BeautifulMaplesAndShrubs]

@@arboristBlairGlenn Thanks!

[@billiestanfield2702]

My 3 are struggling and look to be dying. I planted mine in march.

[@daviddowding4115]

I would consider finding where the water pipe crosses the sidewalk dig up the side walk or drive which ever is easiest make a new water connection run a new pipe along the sidewalk and down the lawn in a new trench to connect up with the existing pipe in the lawn some where. Or Dig a hole in the drive on top of the water pipe 28" deep get a grundomat (mole) drive a I pipe. Under the tree and reconnect on the other side. Are those cherry sprouts or from the rootstock?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

We don't even know if there is a problem with the pipes yet. She is just fearful

[@daviddowding4115]

Absolutely unless the pipe is leaking then at that depth even with those large roots I doubt that there is a problem.

[@kengamble8595]

Maybe I missed it but what is the rootstock that it's grafted to ? It is a great looking tree !

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Don't really know, a fruit bearing, hardy root stock of cherry

[@kengamble8595]

+arboristBlairGlenn Looks a lot like a wild black cherry, they aren't great for the fruit but have roots that do that.

[@CGH250]

Is that a Kwanzan or Yoshino?

[@braianfranco4331]

Kwanzan

[@_wormlet]

Can a Prunus serrulata 'Burgundy' be planted near a septic leach field? The pipes are a few feet down

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Should any tree be planted near a leach field??? Maybe but always a future problem

[@michaeldougfir9807]

September 9th. Happy Admission Day! Californis has been a State for 166 years. But we were a Republic first (see a California flag.) We were never a Territory. We went from being our own nation briefly, to admission into the Union. Who knows what our State Tree is?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

The Redwood

[@michaeldougfir9807]

You get the prize! It is either an egg shaped cone, or a little brown one. You choose.

[@ScottiMac0007]

Why would you excavate the water line when you could have a plumber scope the line and look for leaks. Much cheaper.

[@Rocksolidk99]

When is the best time to prune a Akebono? I have heard that right after it blooms, does that mean when the flowers are still on the tree or right after they fall off and before leaf bud break?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

An Akebono cherry is much like all flowering cherries. I generally just take out dead and decayed limbs and branches. You don’t trim for fruit so it’s more about containing to the available space. Often are pruning decisions are not about what a tree needs but where it is planted.

[@kk-hp6ve]

Wow thanks will it grow in pot?

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

k k will it grow? Yes. Will it thrive? No

[@Tryinglittleleg]

Holy Molley