Tall and pink.
April 29, 2015 7:00 am
A cherry tree will be going into the backyard of the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood.
My dear wife Karen and I took the trip to Chuck Hafner’s Garden Center in North Syracuse this past weekend, walking the aisles under the sun out back and inside the greenhouses, too. We spied the varieties of blossom-producers, looking them over with hopeful and judging eyes. We read their tags and pictured them at full height and width at that spot in front of the backyard fence separating our yard from Good Neighbor Tim and his Wonderful Wife Lorraine’s plot.
We looked at how tall they are now and compared that to length of the Mazda CX5. Price came into play. These babies are expensive. Try north of $200.
Tall and pink.
Explaining the characteristics.
And the whole 25 feet.
The first group we ran into stood tall, probably too. The “profusion of soft-pink flowers” sounded wonderful, but I thought I’d have to call around to find somebody with a pick-up truck to help me bring one of these babies home. I also thought it would grow too high and wide for our Little Bitty backyard. The photo on the sign truly did help keep it in the running nevertheless.
Umbrella of white.
Weeping, in short.
And our Easter Weekend getaway to Washington, D.C., and the walk around the Tidal Basin to spot many beginning-to-bloom trees during the Cherry Blossom Festival became part of my mental calculations, too, when we spotted a field of white that revealed these weepers. I thought of Karen and a group of women amid white across a road when we strayed on the way toward the Jefferson Memorial.
Nice. But these, listed at six- to eight-feet maximum, would never grow that high. Not even close.
Ron Burgandy has a genus! Wait, Royal.
Other fruits began dominating the outdoor tree sections. Pear. Apple. Peach. Plum. I read the tags and pictured what we might put in our earth with even a Medium Bitty and Slightly Larger budget …
On the other side sat one more stand of cherry, this reading Burgundy Royal, looking promising to me for its vivid color, of blossom and leaves before they wave goodbye in fall. Also, I’d call these medium-sized at full maturity. Me likey.
Screw up my courage for pinkish-white?
The fence cut winds but collects water, for 50-50.
On the way inside, the first of two greenhouses before reaching the store proper included a batch of cherry trees stored in the wayback. Karen spotted them right off. I picked up the red tags designating that they’d been sold.
The Little Twist combined pink and white, to my eyes, and had a top-heavy shape without any weeping.
Perfect name for Syracuse, the Snow Fountain.
Get my drift on the cool shape?
Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.
White blossoms. Weeping shape. Full height, eight to 15 feet, over the top of the fence, but not over the top of our Little Bitty sensibility. (That’s in satisfying contrast to the mini Snow Fountains we spotted outside, I note.) Full width, six to eight feet, wouldn’t overwhelm the whole side of the yard. Zone 5, hardy to 20º below F.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner. We think. Of course, all of these had been tagged as sold. We’ll have to call and see if the good folks at Hafner’s have more to sell us in the next few weeks.
Would you pick a different type tree that blossomed for a longer period of time, and if so, which species? Would you go for a true fruit-bearing tree, and if so, which one? Which of the cherry trees do you like best, and why?
Posted by markbialczak
Categories: Life
Tags: Arborists, Backyard Garden, Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Trees, Chuck Hafner's Garden Center, D.C., Garden, Gardening, North Syracuse, Picking Trees, Planting Trees, Syracuse, Washington
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Sounds like speed dating. 🙂
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By cat9984 on June 14, 2015 at 6:44 pm
You really have a way of looking at our lives, Cat. 🙂
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By markbialczak on June 15, 2015 at 10:34 am
Hi Mark – I need to come back and catch up = but wanted to say this was fun tree shopping with you – be back late r- but laughing at winner winner chicken dinner – ha
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By phb2003 on May 7, 2015 at 2:07 pm
I love the willowy look of the one you selected, but I’m disappointed that they were all sold by the time you got there. 😦
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By rachelcarrera on May 2, 2015 at 7:05 pm
We have to do some more scrambling and planning, Rachel.
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By markbialczak on May 2, 2015 at 8:20 pm
I like the one you liked. The one that looks like a weeping cherry tree. Beautiful!
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By Priceless Joy on May 1, 2015 at 6:10 pm
Thanks, P.J. We are going to try to buy one of these in a week or so. Very exciting.
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By markbialczak on May 1, 2015 at 10:10 pm
That’s great! It was beautiful!
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By Priceless Joy on May 1, 2015 at 10:15 pm
Thought you might like to know that the ad running below this post was “Intimacy Tips” from KY Jelly. Not kidding, pal. I’m sure that ties into a cherry tree somehow but I need to think about it.
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By Exile on Pain Street on April 30, 2015 at 6:42 am
That’s one for my friends and followers entertainment and edification, I guess. Oy. Thanks, Mark. Trees and blossoms …
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By markbialczak on April 30, 2015 at 7:48 am
I love the cherry bro Mark. And my favorite scented soap is cherry blossom, so that’s a definite for me. Of course, being me, I would also plant a fruit bearing cherry tree, just in case G. Washington should pass by with his ax, or, barring that, because I love cherries. And sour cherries are really good for pain control, gout, and a large number of other ailments, so tuck one away in the back, keep it covered with fine mesh so the birds won’t eat the fruit, and send all excess fruit to me, cause I know what to do with it. Your blog is hard to find lately brother.
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By Kentucky Angel on April 29, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Sorry you can’t find me, sis Angie. I feel like I’m in the same spot.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:37 pm
You probably are bro Mark, but I start reading from the top, and I start late in the day. Must be following too many people. I’ll rectify that, and try the reader in the morning instead of late afternoon. That just might help.
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By Kentucky Angel on May 1, 2015 at 5:41 pm
I post at 7 a.m. every day, sis Angie. Sorry.
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By markbialczak on May 1, 2015 at 10:10 pm
I’ll start reading earlier bro Mark. If I sleep at night at all, I’m always awake by 4 a.m. so by 7 my day is half over.
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By Kentucky Angel on May 3, 2015 at 10:41 pm
i love the weeping cherry and i’m all about the beauty and form, even if it’s for a short time. enjoy !
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By ksbeth on April 29, 2015 at 8:32 pm
Weeping with joy when it’s blooming, we will be, Beth. Thanks.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:35 pm
Oh, man. Who knew picking out a tree would be so difficult. So many things to consider. Actually, I did kind of know this because Mr. B’s brother (the one who I had to return the Christmas tree to back when) manages a nursery and we cannot even buy a weed without consulting with him first. He’s gotten us some nice birches which I love but I share your enthusiasm for the cherry trees. Especially after you having visited DC. They are so beautiful. I hope the store gets more of Snow Fountains soon.
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By brickhousechick on April 29, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Thanks, Mrs. B. Your brother-in-law is in a great business, by the way. I bet he loves the nursery work. It is a lovely place to spend time. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:21 pm
This time of the year and Christmas time are super crazy for him but he knows his stuff so well and is well respected. 🙂
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By brickhousechick on April 29, 2015 at 8:28 pm
I can imagine how busy a good person in that business is at this time of the year. Crazy, Mrs. B.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Oh why must I pick just one???? I shall pick them all !!!!
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By Chatter Master on April 29, 2015 at 6:53 pm
All is great, MBC. My yard just got very crowded and I am in debt up to my eyeballs. 😮
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Ruh roh……. 🙂 You will be very popular and loved when they bloom. Sorry about the debt buddy. How about every other one? Is that better?
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By Chatter Master on May 1, 2015 at 5:40 am
Half the labor and cost. Better! And love your Astro from the Jetsons imitation, MBC. Perfect. ❤
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By markbialczak on May 1, 2015 at 7:57 am
😉 You’re welcome Shaggy MBM. ❤ I knew you would love it. And glad the halving was a relief.
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By Chatter Master on May 1, 2015 at 10:35 pm
Nope. Would’ve chosen the same as you and Karen. Lovely. Love a weeper tree. Very nice.
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By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on April 29, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Thanks, Red. The weeper will amaze us yearly, if things go right!
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Every tree is beautiful, but one that grows fruit is a win-win!
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By mewhoami on April 29, 2015 at 6:23 pm
They are quite attractive trees, Me Who, that they are.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:13 pm
A friend of mine had a fruit-bearing cherry tree in her garden. the local kids used to steal what they could of the fruits, but they only did it the once for these were not the sweet cherry variety but the sour cooking cherry. perfect baked with loads of sugar in one of Agnes’s pies. Yum. BTW I think you have made the perfect choice with snow fountain
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By radicalrambler on April 29, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Thanks, Roy. If we can get one in our ground, I can’t wait to see it a year from now!
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 2:13 pm
It’s going to be great. This time next year you’ll be posting pictures of blossom 🙂
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By lundygirl on April 29, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Hope, hope, hope, Rachel. Knock on wood.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 2:12 pm
I love your cherry tree Mark. How lovely! I have never seen a cherry tree snow fountain (weeping)! Great choice. I can’t wait to see the pictures of you digging the hole. LOL! Excited to hear more about your tree. ❤
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By Silver Threading on April 29, 2015 at 12:04 pm
We still have to get back and buy one, Colleen. I’m sure I will post about the adventure again. And again. Again. 😉
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 12:07 pm
I love it. Can’t wait to hear more! ❤
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By Silver Threading on April 29, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Oh gosh, well truly a valiant effort. We need to be planting more trees and those just seem like really beautiful ones, never mind the fact that they might produce some tasty fruit. Do you need to do anything special so they cultivate edible fruit? I think I’d have an avocado tree. They’re really popular here in L.A. I love avocados.
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By Marissa Bergen on April 29, 2015 at 10:05 am
My dear wife Karen would live an avocado tree. She loves avocados, being a California girl. I have a Throwback post about that coming up on Friday, in fact, Marissa. Her and California, not avocados … 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:10 am
Chocolate, California and avocados…I have a feeling Karen and I would have a lot to talk about!
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By Marissa Bergen on April 29, 2015 at 12:49 pm
And she’s a big music fan, don’t forget. You two would be thick, Marissa. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Oh, and before I forget, that fake band picture I told you about is coming up tomorrow. ❤ Thank you, thank you, for your inspiration on that one.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:11 am
You’re welcome…and can’t wait to see it!
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By Marissa Bergen on April 29, 2015 at 12:49 pm
I love blossoms Mark! I love cherries! Besides apple trees, I’m not sure if any other fruit-bearing tree would survive in Calgary. I hope you can get exactly the tree you want for your little bitty. ❤
Diana xo
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By dianasschwenk on April 29, 2015 at 10:04 am
We are leaning toward the ornamental rather than the fruit-bearing, Diana, because of the size factor of the Little Bitty yard, Diana. 🙂 Thank you, my friend. ❤ Calgary, I don't know about the cold when there's no Chinook winds.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:08 am
no cherries? Your reasoning makes sense though. We have a short growing season and the ground freezes quite deep in the winter. Although this past winter, I think banana trees would have survived!
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By dianasschwenk on April 29, 2015 at 10:11 am
No cherries. The trees for those grow too tall for our yard. 😦
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:12 am
I was just asking my husband if he thought a cherry tree could survive in southern manitoba they are so beautiful.
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By Donna on April 29, 2015 at 9:59 am
They all said Zone 5, Donna, down to minus 20º F. You can google, but I have a feeling southern Manitoba may be Zone 4?
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 10:07 am
Yeah darn i guess it will be pixs for me. Hmmm maybe get one full size pic and put up in yard.
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By Donna on April 29, 2015 at 10:45 am
Love your sense of playfulness about it, Donna. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 11:15 am
If I ever lose my playfulness I think I will lose ME
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By Donna on April 29, 2015 at 11:22 am
Your weeping cherry tree is beautiful, Mark. In Chicago, growing up, some streets were lined with crabapple trees that, to me, had a lot of the beauty of the cherry trees in Washington. When I moved to L.A. and bought a house, I wanted a beautiful spring tree like that, but the heat here overwhelms most of those trees in most areas of the city. Nonetheless, I was able to find an ornamental crabapple that hung in there for us. If not a perfect pink profusion, we had an artful pink scattering of blooms about its branches every spring. The apples, reduced in size even further by our unkind climate, stayed on the tree to Christmas looking like cheery cherries against the black bark. After that, they made handy missiles for growing boys.
All around, a most satisfactory tree planting.
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By Outlier Babe on April 29, 2015 at 9:51 am
Good hardy trees for you specifically because of your arbor ardor no doubt, Babe. We have a flowering Robinson crabapple we put in two springs ago on our front lawn that is doing quite well. Knock on wood! It looked great last spring a few weeks later than this, grew since, and has buds now!
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 9:57 am
🙂
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By Outlier Babe on April 29, 2015 at 10:09 am
Since I practically grew up in the woods, it’s hard for me to embrace the concept of paying for a tree. But I fear that day is coming for me as well. Good luck getting the one you want.
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By snoozing on the sofa on April 29, 2015 at 9:21 am
I had woods behind our house down on Long Island, too, Scott, and the developer cut into them so we did not have to worry about the front yard, either. Here in the Syracuse city, though, it’s take some down as they get too big, see others fall as they get old and ill, and put others in. You’ll find out what I mean out in your place soon enough, I guess. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 9:54 am
Oh so many choices!!!! We had the same situation when choosing a mesquit out here. So many to choose from!!
I think your choice is perfect and now the hunt is on to get it home!
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By Nancy on April 29, 2015 at 8:42 am
The chase is half the thrill, they say? I say it’s half the work. Then the digging. Thanks, Nancy!
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:53 am
Your story reminds me of when we went to our garden store to purchase a tree because our yard didn’t have enough. We opted for a pear tree because (1) I like pears and pictured picking them an canning them, and giving really fresh fruit to my then young children, and (2) everyone has apples trees, but I didn’t see a lot of pear trees around. The tree as its benefits and drawbacks. Yes, the fruit is wonderful, except that we can only reach the pears on the lower branches – the squirrels get all the good ones. And when those pears fall? You do not want to be under that tree at the time, and you do not want to be the one in charge of picking up hundreds of rotting pears from the back yard.
However, it is amusing at the end of the season when the pears start to ferment, and the squirrels all get tipsy.
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By cordeliasmom2012 on April 29, 2015 at 8:40 am
That’s a lot of work and warnings, CM. I immediately was turned off by the signs that proclaimed how certain fruit trees needed mates to make sure they would indeed be pollenated and fruited. I don’t want the sort of labor.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:52 am
Aw, maybe you never saw my post on that very subject:
Those trees manage to get pollinated somehow.
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By cordeliasmom2012 on April 29, 2015 at 8:56 am
Nature! Thanks, CM. Going over to check it out now.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 9:02 am
Wow, who knew there were so many types? Very interesting Mark.
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By Paul on April 29, 2015 at 8:21 am
So many, Paul. Life is full of choices every day. Thanks, my friend.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:30 am
I’m partial to the little twist! We have some in our nearby park and they are gorgeous. 😊
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By Teela Hart on April 29, 2015 at 8:18 am
Oh, a real life vote for the Little Twist! Now I know they work in the park. Thank you so much. They look real nice in the garden center, Teela. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:30 am
😀
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By Teela Hart on April 29, 2015 at 8:31 am
Male sure it’s a seedless cherry tree. 🙂
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By Austin on April 29, 2015 at 7:49 am
Yeah, we don’t want it spreading little cherry trees all over the neighborhood, do we, Austin?
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:06 am
You know it!
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By Austin on April 30, 2015 at 10:06 am
I live in a wooded area, so I’d be inclined to choose actual fruiting trees for the back 40 and somethin dwarf for the yard. Tree maintenance is no fun, and costs a lot to have someone else come to prune. We’ve got two apple trees to fuss over already.
They’re all lovely, but I suppose I’m partial to the Burgundy Royal 🙂
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By joeyfullystated on April 29, 2015 at 7:45 am
It is a looker, that Burgundy Royal, Joey. But we favor the small ones because of the small yard and the pruning issues, as you so rightly point out. You have a back 40! That’s great for you, as that reminds me about your goals for hubby and you to reap the harvest. Yay!!
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:05 am
My back 40 is a lil over an acre, lol — but yeah, the tomatoes and herbs are already planted 🙂
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By joeyfullystated on April 29, 2015 at 8:07 am
Cherry trees are lovely. I remember one in the back yard as a kid. Harvest time meant a lot of stooping and gathering, but also cherry pies! Yay. Good luck and good planting.
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By Benson on April 29, 2015 at 7:33 am
Homemade cherry pies. What a great backyard-to-kitchen-to-tummy memory you have, my friend. Thanks for sharing this one, Benson. 🙂
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:03 am
Life is just a bowl of cherries and your post is much more than just a bunch of cherry trees, Mark. I’m bowled over by all the blossoming here.
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By Ann Koplow on April 29, 2015 at 7:29 am
Blooming wonderful comment, Ann.
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By markbialczak on April 29, 2015 at 8:02 am