Collapse of Tokyo’s aging cherry blossom trees during viewing season raises safety concerns
TOKYO (AP) — Many of Tokyo’s popular and iconic Somei Yoshinos cherry blossom The trees were planted in the 1960s during Japan’s post-war advance and are now aging and weakening.
Some have fallen and many need support, triggering safety concerns as the Japanese celebrate the season of their favorite flower.
Two cherry blossom trees collapsed on Thursday, one in Kinuta Park in downtown Tokyo and the other on the Chidorigafuchi greenway. The tree in Kinuta Park damaged fences, while another tree nearly fell into the Imperial Palace moat, but no one was injured.
The tree in Kinuta Park was 18 meters (59 feet) tall and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in diameter. It is among the oldest believed to be over 60 years old, officials said. In March, another old cherry tree fell in the park, injuring a passerby.
Last year, 85 trees fell in Tokyo parks, injuring three people, most of them cherry trees, according to Masakazu Noguchi, the Tokyo metropolitan official in charge of public parks.
While people gathered under the trees during Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing season, the collapse of the trees alarmed the authorities in Tokyo, the birthplace of the cherry blossom variety.
Tokyo council member Yutaka Kazama last month expressed concern on social media that “cherry blossom trees with partially exposed or clearly rotten roots look dangerous” and called for strict safety measures, but did not immediately resort to felling trees.
Aging and erosion due to internal fungal growth are among the main causes of cherry blossom tree deterioration.
Tree surgeon Hiroyuki Wada said excessive bending, blooming on lower trunks and fungi growing at the base are signs to look for to avoid risk-prone trees. He said risks increase when tree trunks retain water after rain.
“Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70-80 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 climate change in terms of what’s happening to cherry blossom trees, which is very symbolic,” he said.
Following the events in March, authorities carried out tree health checks in Tokyo’s main parks ahead of the cherry blossom viewing season.
In Kinuta Park, authorities conducted preliminary inspections of more than 800 cherry trees. They cut down many trees and posted warning signs near some of the trees, but the tree that fell on Thursday did not have any warning signs.
“Currently, our measures are mostly temporary, not basic steps such as reforestation,” Noguchi said. “We urge visitors to be careful because even after inspection we cannot say it is safe.”
In Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular viewing points, dozens of aging cherry blossom trees have been cut down in recent years as part of a long-term reforestation plan. Some people complained on social media about empty spaces around a pond that used to be perfectly surrounded by blooming pink flowers.
Cherry blossom watchers said the news of cherry trees falling was worrying but they did not want to miss the short-lived fluffy pink flowers.
“I’m a little worried, but I think it’s okay if we stay away from the tree trunks,” Lisa Suzuki said.
Another visitor, Akira Kamiyashiki, said that he came with his daughter despite security concerns because rain was expected over the weekend. “I feel safe now when I see the keep-away signs,” he said.
Cherry blossoms, or “sakura”, are Japan’s favorite flower and are usually at their peak between late March and early April, when the country celebrates the start of a new school and work year. Many Japanese people like to walk or picnic under the trees.
