King George’s Park is about to get an attractive new feature - an avenue of 50 cherry trees that have been donated to the borough of Wandsworth by the government of Japan.
A ‘Taihaku’ cherry tree in full bloom
The trees will provide a scented and colourful enhancement to the pathway between Burr Road and the Henry Prince estate in Earlsfield when they are planted by the council’s leisure and culture contractor Enable in the next few days.
The 50 trees have been gifted to the borough by the Sakura Cherry Tree Project – an initiative promoting friendship between Japan and the UK and part of a legacy project celebrating the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020.Wandsworth’s environment spokesman Cllr Steffi Sutters said: “This extremely generous gift from the government and people of Japan will form a wonderful and colourful new feature in King George’s Park.
“I am sure that the many people who visit the park and travel between Burr Road and the Henry Prince will be delighted to walk along such an attractive new tree-lined avenue.”
The trees are three Japanese varieties know as ‘Beni-yutaka’, ‘Taihaku’, and ‘Somei-yoshino’, which have been chosen for their variation in colour, timing, and historical significance. Taihaku’ is a large, single white blossom variety, which became extinct in Japan but thrives there now thanks to its reintroduction by Britain’s Collingwood 'Cherry' Ingram in 1932.
Sakura Cherry Trees are now being planted at many schools and sites across the UK. The project was formally launched with a planting ceremony at Regent’s Park attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester and Japanese Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine.
The Duke is patron of the Japan Society which aims to improve understanding of the cultures, societies and businesses of Japan and the UK. He said: “What better way to commemorate the long-standing friendship between the people of the United Kingdom and Japan than the planting of Japanese cherry trees that will live on for future generations to enjoy.”
Yasumasa Nagamine, Japanese Ambassador to the UK added: “Just like our relationship, these trees will grow stronger as they mature and, each year when they blossom, I hope they bring joy to people across the UK and remind them of the deep friendship between our two nations and peoples.“
For more information about the scheme visit https://japanuksakura.org/
The 50 Sakura cherry trees stored and ready for planting