Shidare-zakura ( weeping cherry ) is a general term for cherry trees with soft, weeping branches. Although there are varieties of cherry trees called shidare-zakura, it is often used in a broad sense as a generic term.
| Name | Shidare-zakura ( weeping cherry ) |
| Scientific name | Cerasus itosakura ‘Pendula’ Maxim |
| Classification | Rosaceae , Cherry |
| Best time to see | Late March ~ early April |
Table of Contents
Reason for weeping
Drooping branches can be seen not only on weeping cherry trees but also on ginkgotreesandzelkova trees. So, what is the mechanism behind the drooping of these plants?
The cause is thought to be a lack of the plant hormone gibberellin due to a mutation, which prevents the branches from forming enough strength to reach the tip as they grow, making them unable to withstand gravity.
Incidentally, the weeping nature is genetically latent, so even the offspring of weeping cherry trees may be born without weeping branches in some cases!
Types of weeping cherry trees
There are the following types of cherry trees called weeping cherry trees.
- Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry)
- Benishidare (red weeping)
- Yaebenishidare (double-stemmed weeping cherry)
- Ujyoshidare (weeping weeping weeping cherry)
- Kirifuri cherry (Prunus incisa)
- Shidare-yama-zakura (weeping mountain cherry)
Shidare-zakura spots in Kyoto
The following are spots where weeping cherry trees can be seen in Kyoto in spring!
Sanzenin Temple
At Sanzenin Temple in Ohara, Kyoto, you can view approximately 100 cherry trees of multiple species from late March through April. You can see large, beautiful weeping cherry trees in front of the temple gate and in the inner sanctuary!
