Jersey Trees for Life was at Val de la Mare on Friday to celebrate the first blossom of three new Japanese cherry trees gifted by Embassy of Japan in the UK last November as part of its Sakura Project.
Founded in 2017 by Prime Ministers May and Abe, this project has donated over 7,500 of these ‘sakura’ nationwide to celebrate Anglo-Japanese relations.
Having planted the trees in the arboretum’s picnic area shortly after their arrival, the charity planned the celebration for spring to coincide with the blossom. It took place during a mid-morning break in the first open volunteer session of the tree care season, attended by the wider Jersey Trees for Life team including its Chair, Philip Taylor, and some of its committee members.
With 20 volunteers taking a break from a morning of building dead hedges – hedges made of deadwood that provide habitat for wildlife – there was a total of 29 in attendance for the first ceremony of its type at Val de la Mare.
Jersey Trees for Life CEO Alex Morel said: “It’s easy to see why Japanese cherry blossom is iconic. Sakura in springtime is an unforgettable sight and it was fantastic to be able to share the moment with so many of our volunteers and team. We encourage all tree enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit Val de la Mare at this wonderful time of year.”
She concluded: “We’re grateful to our Japanese friends for their generosity and looking forward to seeing the sakura blossom time and time again.”
