The leaves and flowers on the rootstock growth, including the full tree, on this row of 'Shiro-fugen' cherries in Victoria looks like Prunus avium, except that I came across a discussion recently in which I recall something about P. avium not being hairy and the hairs on the tree in question indicated that it would be P. x pugetensis. Would that hybrid be used as a rootstock now? These leaves felt a little fuzzy and it turned out they are very hairy and fuzzy. The dark red petioles are attractive too. Is it possible to know what it is? In addition to 'Colt', what rootstocks would we expect to find on new ornamental cherries? Are they all some variety or cultivar of Prunus avium? I just wonder if we're accusing a lot of trees and rootstock growth of being P. avium when it's really something else we're seeing. Just as a distraction, I'll add a photo of the 'Shiro-fugen' cherries, on Dock Street above Dallas Road.
