C is for Convoluted Cherry Tree

I bought my first convoluted cherry tree when I lived in Germany. I saw one at the nursery and ‘had to have it’! It grew nicely in front of my kitchen window, not growing too large, yet bearing a blizzard of pink, slightly pendant blossoms each spring. The branches seemed to grow an inch or less in one direction and then take a random turn to grow in a new direction. It was so cool.

When we moved back to the States, I wanted one for my yard and went looking on line for a possible source. I lucked out finding one at the local nursery and they even dug it in for me. What would have taken me at least a half hour they had done in five minutes. So now I look out each spring and enjoy my twisted cherry. No fruits, strictly ornamental, but so sweet.

I could also have used convoluted hazel nut as I have one of that in the backyard. I did not plant it, but I love it too. However of late I am battling it’s desire to send up ‘straight’ shoots. I break them off as far back as I can get at and they send up another branch. By the time this is posted the ‘tree guys’ will have been here and hopefully ‘nipped this in the bud’ as it were, or rather back before where the ‘reverted’ growth is.