Many of Tokyo’s popular and iconic Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees were planted during Japan’s post-World War II advancement in the 1960s, and are now getting old and frail.
Some have fallen and many others require support, triggering safety concerns as the Japanese celebrate the season of their favorite flower.
Two cherry blossom trees collapsed on Thursday, one at Kinuta Park in downtown Tokyo and the other at the Chidorigafuchi greenway. The one in Kinuta Park damaged a fence while the other tree almost fell into the Imperial Palace moat. Nobody was injured.
Photo: AFP
The tree in Kinuta Park was 18m tall and 2.5m in diameter.
It was among the oldest, believed to be more than 60 years old, officials said.
Last month, another old cherry tree collapsed at the park, injuring a passerby.
Eighty-five trees fell in Tokyo parks last year, injuring three people, and many were cherry trees, said Masakazu Noguchi, a Tokyo metropolitan official in charge of public parks.
People gather under the trees during the season of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, and the collapse of trees has alarmed officials in Tokyo, the birthplace of the cherry blossom variety.
Tokyo assembly member Yutaka Kazama expressed concern on social media that “cherry blossom trees with their roots partially exposed or obviously rotten seem dangerous,” calling for firm safety measures, but without quickly resorting to tree felling.
Aging and erosion by internal fungus growth are among the main causes for the deterioration of the cherry blossom trees.
Tree doctor Hiroyuki Wada said heavy tilting, flowering on lower trunks and mushrooms growing at the bottom are signs to look for to avoid risk-prone trees.
Risks increase when tree trunks retain water after rain, he added.
“Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70 to 80 years old and getting weaker,” he said, adding that they are affected by extreme heat in the summer and an extensive dry season.
“I hope people think about the climate change through what’s happening to the cherry blossom trees, which is very symbolic,” Wada said.
Following last month’s incidents, officials conducted tree health checks at Tokyo’s main parks ahead of the cherry blossom viewing season.
At the Kinuta Park, officials have conducted preliminary inspections of more than 800 cherry trees. They chopped down a number of trees and posted warning signs near some trees, but the tree that fell on Thursday was without caution signs.
“At the moment, our measures are mostly temporary, not fundamental steps such as replanting,” Noguchi said. “We call on visitors to use caution, because we cannot say it’s safe even after inspection.”
At the Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing spots, dozens of aging cherry blossom trees have been felled in recent years as part of a long-term replanting plan. Some people lamented on social media the empty spaces around a pond that used to be seamlessly encircled by flowering pink blossoms.
Cherry blossom viewers say the news of falling cherry trees is worrisome, but they did not want to miss the short-lived fluffy pink blossoms.
“I’m a bit worried, but I guess it’s OK if we stay away from tree trunks,” visitor Lisa Suzuki said.
Another visitor, Akira Kamiyashiki, said he came with his daughter despite the safety concerns because rain is expected over the weekend.
“Seeing the keep-off signs, I now feel safe,” he said.
Cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” are Japan’s favorite flower and usually reach their peak in late March to early April, just as the country celebrates the start of a new school and business year. Many Japanese enjoy walking or picnicking under the trees.
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