Flowering cherries are small, hardy decorative trees that are prized for the exceptional beauty of their blossoms. The instructions for planting them are easy to follow, and these trees transplant well. One of the most important factors to consider when planting a flowering cherry is location. Flowering cherry trees need full sun, well-drained soil and low levels of pollution. Once you have found an acceptable site, the next step is to choose an appropriate flowering cherry sapling. Cherry saplings that are 1 to 2 year old with healthy roots and four to five well-spaced branches enjoy the highest rate of transplanting success.
Take a sample of the soil in the planting area to your local county extension office. The report will inform you of any necessary soil amendments or pH changes that need to be made to support your flowering cherry's life.
Prepare the planting area. The planting area should be roughly 5 feet by 5 feet and at least 3 feet deep. Spread the necessary amendments (as dictated by the county extension office's report) and turn them into the soil in the planting area. Ideally, the amended soil should be allowed to "cure" for six months to one year.
Dig a hole that is three times as wide but just as deep as the container that your flowering cherry sapling is currently in.
Spread a fistful of bone meal over the bottom of the hole. Bone meal contains high amounts of phosphorus which will help the flowering cherry establish itself in its new planting site.
Remove your flowering cherry sapling from its current container. Loosen its roots by gently pulling them away from the root ball with your hands. If any of the roots are root bound, or wrapped around the root ball, slice through them with a sharp knife. Use pruning shears to trim any roots that are broken or dead.
Place the tree in the hole so that the soil line on the tree is flush with the surrounding soil. If the tree has a graft mark, make sure that it is facing away from the afternoon sun. Fill the hole with soil and pat it down firmly with your hands to remove any air pockets.
Water the tree deeply. The best way to do this is to place a slow-running hose at the base of the tree for an hour or so. This will make sure that the soil is moist to the depth of the root ball. Continue to keep the soil moist until the flowering cherry establishes itself and produces new growth.
Keep a 4-foot area around the tree free of weeds and grass. If you spread mulch to facilitate this, keep it at least 1 foot away from the base of the tree.