It was one of our rare sunny, Spring days this year. I was enjoying looking out at the green grass, and cherry blossoms at the UBC campus.
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| This big tree and all it's lovely blossoms made a huge frame behind the McDonald restaurant's famous Golden Arches signage. |
The cherry trees that beautify Vancouver at this time each year, were gifts of the country of Japan.
In the early 1930s the mayors of both Kobe and Yokohama presented the Park Board with 500 Japanese cherry trees for planting at the Japanese cenotaph in Stanley Park honouring Japanese Canadians who served in WWI. And so, as the impact of cherry tree plantings began to reshape the city’s landscape, Vancouverites were soon smitten by their fleeting beauty, their clouds of blossoms, as they heralded spring’s arrival each year. (Source: Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival).
Vancouver has about 55 varieties of cherry trees. On the news the other night it was reported that some of the rare varieties of the trees now need help to thrive since the strict plant health regulations prevent importing trees from outside Canada. The news report also featured a partnership between the University of BC's Botanical Garden and BCIT’s Biotechnology Department to help save these trees. Students are regenerating some of the rarest of the cherry trees by harvesting plant cuttings and growing them in test tubes before eventual transfer to greenhouses and then planting. They are having good success in growing these cuttings and that means good news for those of us who live in Vancouver and enjoy the beautiful tree blossoms each year.
I'm linking up with Skywatch Friday. I hope you will have a chance to visit the link and view other beautiful skies from around the world.
Happy Skywatching!
16 comments:
Cherry trees cheer you up always!!!
Great shot!
Really nice.
That big yellow 'M' really is a great sight right now but due to diet and the fact my nearest one is an hour a way I will just drool at the thought!
Have a great week
Beautiful shots. The cherry blossoms are lovely.
What a fun picture.
Thanks for your visit! I tried to visit you back but your photo doesn't link to a blog.
I'm glad to know the young scientists at UBC are working to save the trees the can no longer be imported into Canada.
Beautiful photo of the blossoms, Penny!
K
The cherry blossoms are beautiful, a lovely spring treat! Have a great weekend and happy skywatching!
Yes, Kay. I was so happy to hear that someone will save our trees. They give the city so much beauty and residents so much happiness!
Yes, indeed! Thanks :-)
The cherry blossoms are really lovely, Penny. That's a great looking-out-the-window shot of the sky and the blossoming cherry trees. Kudos to University of BC's Botanical Garden and BCIT’s Biotechnology Department for helping save these trees.
Oh It's my dream to see Cherry trees in real life & not in photos. They are Cheerful trees. :)
Great window shot looking out to those pink flowers.
Recognized that logo instantly!! Beautiful cherry blossoms.
All streets in Waterloo have Japanese cherry trees on each side ! They started blooming nearly from one day to the other ! It's just beautiful !
Great pictures!
Hello Joyful.
Great pictures you show. I am looking forward to my Japanese cherry blossom ...... love the pink flowers it gets.
Fun to see a McDonalds also in your country. Wish you a good weekend :) Hugs Hanne Bente
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