Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Yoshino Cherry are simple (no leaflets), alternately arranged on the stem, pinnately veined, and unlobed. The leaves are elliptic, slightly ovate, or slightly obovate. The margin is finely serrated, and the leaf ends in a long acuminate tip.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig matures from green to light brown, smooth, and slightly zig zag with lenticels (pores). The buds are both axillary and terminal. The terminal buds are clustered, scaled, and dark brown.
Bark Identification
The bark of the Yoshino Cherry is gray with horizontal notch-like brown lenticels. These lenticels become more ridged and prominent as the tree matures.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Yoshino Cherry are drupes. They are small, black, globular, and paired, with long individual stalks. They are not edible to humans, but appeal to wildlife. The fruits ripen in the summer.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Yoshino Cherry are showy, white, five-petaled, and very fragrant. The flowers are arranged in racemes, in clusters along the peduncle. The flowers bloom in early spring.