Prunus serrula (Tibetan Cherry)

Prunus serrula was introduced to Britain in 1908 by Ernest Wilson from a collection in Western Szechuan, and in 1913 George Forrest introduced another clone from Yunnan. It flourishes in the Tibetan border areas with Western China.

Happy in sandy or clay soils, either acid or chalky the Tibetan cherry will flourish in all parts of Britain. Although the flowers & autumn colours aren’t spectacular as in many cherries, this beautiful small tree quickly develops lovely, tactile, mahogany coloured polished bark for which it has become famous.

Like the beautiful white barked Himalayan Birches, Prunus serrula benefits from an annual scrub and hose down with clean water. This occasional treatment can transform specimens in urban areas where they may gradually become soiled with grime.

The Prunus serrula in our garden is festooned with Tibetan prayer flags, which are hung in huge numbers throughout Tibet on trees, rocks and houses. Occasionally even yaks have prayer flags attached to them. The Tibetan word for prayer flag is Lung ta which literally translates as “wind horse”.

The prayers written on the flags drift up to Buddha. Blue flags signify sky, white flags represent air, red flags are for fire, green flags for water and yellow flags for earth. As the colours fade, it is believed that the prayers have drifted up to heaven!

 Prunus serrula is a superb garden tree with exceptional winter interest.