The cherry blossom tree is one of the surest signs that Spring has begun, and we’ve started to spot the pretty flowers dotted around London’s streets, but how much do we really know about it? We’ve compiled a list of fun facts about the beautiful tree, so read on and brush up on your knowledge.
Japanese Culture Characterised by delicate pink petals, the tree has its roots in Japan, where it’s the national flower, but is actually thought to have originated in the Himalayas. Known as ‘sakura,’ the tree stands for renewal and hope in Japanese culture, which makes sense, as it appears every year when the fog of winter has lifted and sunny days make their comeback. Sakura is an important part of culture in Japan, and every year people there practice the tradition of having a picnic underneath them, which is known as ‘hanami.’ It’s thought that this past time dates back to a century ago, when Emperors and members of the Imperial Palace would gather underneath them.
A delicacy The cherry blossom petals aren’t just there to be looked at – they can actually be eaten. You can salt them and use them in sweet treats like cookies and cakes, pickle them to use as a garnish or use them to brew traditional sakura tea with. In Japan, they love the tree so much that they’ve actually turned it into an icecream flavour. How’s that for inventive?
Lifespan The cherry blossom is thought to begin its main blooming period around the 4th of April, but the season only lasts about a month. From the time the first to the last tree blooms, each individual tree only flowers for about a week. The trees themselves live for longer though, on average about 30 to 40 years. If you’re planning a trip to Japan to see them at their peak, make sure you take note of the bloom predictions in March to pick the best time to go.
Spreading the cherry blossoms Japan gave 3,020 cherry blossom trees as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations’ thengrowing friendship, replacing an earlier gift of 2,000 trees which were ravaged by disease in 1910. You can view the most cherry blossoms in America today in Washington D.C., which has become famous for the flowers. Closer to home, Keele University in Staffordshire holds one of the U.K.’s biggest collections of flowering cherry blossoms, with over 150 varieties.