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| Como Park cherry trees |
Move over Washington, DC! You’re not the only American city
where citizens can enjoy the Japanese spring tradition of Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has its own grove of
cherry trees, also known as Sakura, ready for you and your family to discover.
The original 20 trees were a gift from the Japanese government
in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees to Washington, DC. In
2015, the Sakura cherry trees were named Landmark Trees in Saint Paul for their outstanding
quality, historical value, and significance. The Sakura trees are special for
more than just their beauty. They were specially selected to withstand
Minnesota’s harsh winters by the Department of Forest Resources at the University
of Minnesota. The specialized tree, the Sargeant Cherry Spring Wonder Hokkaido
Normandale, was grown from seeds taken from the northern-most island of Japan
that has a similar climate to Minnesota.
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| Children planting Como Park cherry trees in 2012 |
Phenological research on the tree is still on-going with
Department of Forest Resources working to answer the most important question of
all – when will the tree bloom each spring? You can follow their prediction at
their Sakura tree webpage or post your own predictions at Saint Paul – Nagasaki Sister City Committee Cherry Tree Celebration Facebook page!
The Sakura cherry trees can be found at the Mannheimer
Memorial in Como Park near the Butterfly Lot and Global Harmony Labyrinth. Join
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and local Japanese culture organizations on
Saturday, June 4, at the Mannheimer Memorial for the annual Cherry TreeCelebration featuring taiko drumming, crafts, Sakura theme treats, and the
planting of two additional trees.
