Carolina Cherry Trees and Cold Temperatures

Climate

• The Carolina cherry tree is a native plant in southern parts of the U.S. It grows as a tree or large shrub that usually reaches a height of 15 or 20 feet, although a cultivated, trained specimen can become 40 feet tall when mature. It has glossy evergreen leaves and bears fragrant white flowers in late winter or early spring. In USDA zone 7, the coldest parts of its range, winter temperatures may fall well below freezing and could drop as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit for brief periods. The tree generally withstands this degree of cold without damage but could suffer loss of foliage or young branches during an especially harsh winter.

Siting

• When planting a Carolina cherry tree in a cold-winter region, choose a relatively warm, protected site to help shelter the tree from cold air. A spot near a warm, west- or south-facing wall of a building is an ideal location. Planting the tree on a hillside, where cold air drains away to lower parts of the slope, can also help it survive extra-cold winters. The tree also thrives in a protected spot not subject to chilling winter winds, which can dry its foliage and, in severe cases, cause the tree to lose its leaves over winter.

Protection

• In areas with cold winters, mulching a Carolina cherry tree can help keep the roots warm and protect them from heaving of the soil during freeze-thaw cycles. In early fall, add a 4-to-6-inch-thick layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded bark, beneath the tree, and renew it if winter winds reduce its thickness. Watering the plant well throughout fall also prevents stress and can help it come through winter well. If you prune a Carolina cherry tree, avoid doing so in fall, because this can encourage tender new growth that's especially susceptible to cold.

Other Care

• The Carolina cherry tree grows in either full sun or partial shade but appreciates a sunny spot in areas that have cold winters. A fast-growing plant, it's usually free of pests and diseases but can attract spider mites, which could cause browning of its foliage. These are best controlled by spraying with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 5 tablespoons per gallon. The fruit of this tree attracts birds, but its leaves contain a toxic substance and should never be ingested, so this isn't a good choice for an area where pets or small children have access to the plant.