Many people wonder if cherry trees are red. The quick answer is that no, cherry trees are not typically red overall. Their flowers are usually pink or white, their bark is brown or gray, and their leaves are green turning orange or red in autumn. However, some cherry varieties have red bark, red leaves in certain seasons, or bright red fruit, so the color red does appear in different parts of the tree at different times.
What color are cherry blossoms?
Cherry blossoms, also called sakura, are most famous for being pale pink or white. In fact, the most common cherry tree species around the world, like the Yoshino cherry, produces nearly white flowers with a faint pink blush. Other popular varieties, such as the Kwanzan cherry, have deep pink, almost magenta blossoms. True red blossoms are very rare in cherry trees. You may see some cultivars labeled as "red," but those are usually a very dark pink or reddish-pink rather than a vivid fire-engine red. For a closer look at blossom colors, many gardeners enjoy a guidebook like the
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees (
check it out on Amazon).
Do any cherry trees have red bark?
Yes, a few cherry tree species are known for their distinctive red bark. The most famous is the Tibetan cherry (
Prunus serrula), which has shiny, mahogany-red bark that peels in horizontal strips. This tree is often grown just for its beautiful winter bark. Another example is the paperbark cherry (
Prunus serrula is the same species, sometimes called birch-bark cherry). In addition, some ornamental cherry trees like the
Prunus maackii (Amur chokecherry) have golden-brown bark that can look reddish in certain lights. So while most cherry trees have gray or brown bark, red-barked varieties do exist and are prized for winter interest.
Are there cherry trees with red leaves?
Cherry tree leaves are usually green during the growing season, but they can turn brilliant shades of red, orange, or yellow in the fall. Some ornamental cherry trees, like the
Prunus serrulata 'Royal Burgundy', have deep purple-red leaves in spring that gradually turn greenish-bronze by summer and then red again in autumn. Another variety, the weeping Higan cherry (
Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'), often has bronze-red new leaves in spring that become dark green later. If you want a cherry tree with long-lasting red foliage, look for cultivars with "red" or "purple" in the name. For proper pruning and care to encourage colorful leaves, a quality pair of pruning shears can make a big difference (
browse pruning tools on Amazon).
When does cherry fruit turn red?
Cherry fruit, both sweet and sour types, starts out green, then turns yellow, and finally becomes red or dark red when ripe.
Sweet cherries (
Prunus avium) typically ripen to a deep red, almost black color.
Sour cherries (
Prunus cerasus) are usually bright red when fully ripe. However, not all cherry trees produce edible fruit. Ornamental cherry trees, which are grown for their flowers, produce very small, bitter fruit that is not good for eating. If you are planting a cherry tree for fruit, choose a variety like 'Bing', 'Rainier', or 'Montmorency' and expect the ripe fruit to be red. For harvesting, a fruit picker tool can help you reach high branches (
see fruit pickers on Amazon).
What is a red weeping cherry tree?
A red weeping cherry tree typically refers to the
Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula Rubra' or similar cultivars. These trees have cascading branches that produce deep pink to red-pink flowers in early spring. The word "red" in the name describes the flower color, but it is still closer to magenta or rose than pure red. The leaves of a red weeping cherry are green, not red. The bark is gray-brown. So the tree is not truly red, but its blossoms are a striking reddish-pink. Many gardeners love this tree as a focal point in the landscape.
How can I identify a cherry tree by its color?
Use this simple checklist to help you identify common cherry trees by color:
| Tree Part |
Typical Color |
Red Variants |
| Flowers |
White to pale pink |
Deep pink (rarely red) |
| Bark |
Gray or brown |
Mahogany red (Tibetan cherry) |
| Leaves |
Green |
Purple-red (Royal Burgundy) |
| Fruit |
Green to yellow |
Bright to dark red when ripe |
Look for the combination of bark texture, leaf shape, and blossom color to be sure. Also check for the distinctive horizontal lenticels (small pores) on the bark, which are common on many cherry trees. A good book like the
Tree Identification Guide can be very helpful (
find one on Amazon).
Are there red-flowering cherry trees?
No cherry tree produces true red flowers. The closest you can get is the
Prunus sargentii (Sargent cherry) which has single pink to deep pink blossoms, or some of the many hybrid ornamental cherries with very dark pink flowers that appear reddish from a distance. Breeders have tried for decades to create a red cherry blossom, but the natural pigment chemistry of cherry flowers does not allow for a pure red color. If you see a "red" cherry tree advertised, it is almost certainly dark pink or magenta. This stands in contrast to other flowering trees like redbuds or crabapples, which do have varieties with true red blooms.
What about red cherry tree wood?
The wood of cherry trees (
Prunus species) is not red. Freshly cut cherry wood is pale brown with a pinkish or golden tint. Over time, especially when exposed to light, the wood darkens to a rich reddish-brown. That is why cherry wood is prized for furniture and cabinetry. The heartwood can have a warm reddish hue, but it is not bright red. Bark, as mentioned earlier, is usually gray or brown, except for the specialty red-barked species.
Do cherry tree leaves turn red in autumn?
Yes, many cherry trees put on a beautiful autumn display. Their simple, serrated leaves change from green to yellow, orange, or even deep red before falling. The intensity of fall color depends on the variety and the weather. For example, the black cherry (
Prunus serotina) often turns a rich red or maroon in fall. Ornamental cherries like the 'Autumnalis' also show good autumn color. If you like red leaves, choose a variety known for fall color, not necessarily a "red" tree.
Why do people think cherry trees are red?
There are a few reasons for this common misconception. First, the name "cherry" is associated with the bright red fruit of sweet and sour cherries. People see the red fruit and assume the tree itself is red. Second, some cherry trees have red bark (like the Tibetan cherry) or red leaves in spring or fall, creating the impression of a red tree. Third, cherry blossoms in photographs are often saturated to look more pink or red than they appear in nature. Lastly, confusion with other trees like redbuds or flowering crabapples, which do have reddish flowers, may cause people to think all flowering trees with pink blossoms are cherry trees and that cherry trees are red.
