the ones you've seen are Japanese cherry blossom trees. A gift from Japan to the US at the turn of the previous century. There are 2 types I believe and they won't bear fruits. Blossoms will last for at least a week. These however thrive from zone 6 and above. I'm not aware of ornamentals that grow well in zone 5. However I won't say that it's not possible to grow cherries in your zone. Why not visit some established garden centres in your area to see what's suitable. By the way, you can choose weeping varieties or those that have an upward crown. Last, Japan also gifted Toronto with cherry trees and these are in High Park. I'd say if you plan to put in several trees, choose a couple that flower at different times so you get a continuity of blooms.

Ianna

Thanks for the reply Ianna

I knew of the original cherry trees being from Japan.
I did not know that those particular trees would be most likely to survive in not less than zone 6

I would like to have the trees bloom at the same time no matter what period of time they are in bloom to have the affect on the street

The WOW , at least to me affect

Have not bought them yet.

Did not know we had some nice Cherry Trees in High Park of Toronto. Although I know there are some very splendid trees there

I bought a Lady Slipper Orchid the other day. Not sure just where to put it and if it might have a chance to survive or not

Off topic though, aren't I

Thanks again

Hi Diane - I also live in Barrie and was looking to plant some type of spring flowering tree. I was at Bradford Greenhouse last week and they have quite a variety of flowering trees and shrubs. I am considering a Flowering crab as I have had them previously at another home and they are very nice. They also grow fairly fast which is nice too - then you don't have to buy too big a one.

Anyway - that was my thoughts.

Judy

There is a huge variety of cherries out there. If you want an eating cherry you should be able to grow the Bing cherry. My mom had one out here in central Ab. that fruited every year so you should have no problem with it.

Funny, I was wondering the same thing! There was a sale on cherry trees last week at Bradford Greenhouses...I didn't get it yet though.

Didn't know that those cherry trees in Japan will not produce fruit!

Just wondering...will the Bing cherry have blossoms that are similar to these japanese ones?

S

diane, I thought I sent in a response but apparently not....

I understand what you mean by the WOW effect - which is why I brought up the point that these trees will flower only for approximately a 1 week. I thought perhaps you could choose a couple of varieties if possible, to get trees to bloom at different times and therefore stretch your bloom period. The greenhouse Judy mentioned might be able to assist you select the trees suitable for your zone.

Sunita, Bing Cherries will blossom but not as much as ornamental cherries. Many ornamental fruit trees will still produce fruits but these are not edible. I have an ornamental pear tree (chanticleer) which produce white blooms. The thing with trees that blossom, is that you have to be prepared to deal with the mess of rotting flower petals afterward.

The thing with any trees of the apple varieties is that you'd have to be prepared to deal with mildew because it happens every year. My cousin has 2 huge trees that suffer from this yearly.

Ianna