Weeping Cherry Tree Not Gaining Height? You May Have a Higan Cherry

If your weeping cherry tree spreads wide and low instead of growing upward, you likely purchased a weeping Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula) rather than a grafted weeping variety. The key difference: Higan cherries have drooping branches from top to bottom, while grafted weeping cherries have a straight trunk with weeping growth only at the top.

Higan cherries can reach 30 feet tall despite their cascading habit, but they struggle to regain a central leader once the top is removed. If you need a taller, more upright tree for your space, consider replacing it with a young Higan cherry that still has a strong central stem. You can then prune the top at your desired height to encourage the classic weeping form.