Unique Features: Akebono means ‘dawn’ or ‘the color of dawn’ in Japanese.  The Akebono Flowering Cherry tree grows fairly rapidly and can produce sparse cherries, which are edible but not very tasty unless processed. They are best left for the birds, who will devour them, leaving behind minimal litter.  In more favorable climates the Akebono cherries can grow significantly larger but they usually stay smaller in our area.  The flowers open in early spring, April, with a dark pink color that fades to almost white as they age.  They flowers open a little later than other Yedoensis cherries so it could miss some on the spring frosts. With time Akebono cherries can develop an irregular branching pattern that may be accentuated by artful pruning.  A good yellow fall color finishes off the season.