Paperbark cherry (Prunus serrula)

Paperbark cherry, also called Tibetan cherry or Birchbark cherry, is native to China and Tibet. The bark of a Paperbark cherry is it’s most stunning feature. The deep red bark peels away leaving younger softer skin beneath. In winter its bark stands out starkly against the landscape adding beautiful unexpected color.

The Identitatum Arborum collection of knitting patterns was created in conjunction with an art installation made for the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts in summer 2016 for the Natural Threads exhibition. In that art installation I explored the idea of identity using trees as a metaphor.