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Associated Press

Many of Tokyo’s popular and iconic Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees were planted during Japan’s post-war advancement in the 1960s, and are now getting old and frail.
Some have fallen and many others require support, triggering safety concern as the Japanese celebrate the season of their favourite 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, though nobody was injured.
The tree in Kinuta Park was 18 metres (60 feet) tall and 2.5 metres in diameter. It was among the oldest, believed to be more than 60 years old, officials said. In March, another old cherry tree collapsed at the park, injuring a passer-by.

Last year, 85 trees fell in Tokyo parks, injuring three people, and many were cherry trees, according to 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 last month 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.
Age and fungus
Ageing and erosion by internal fungus growth are among the main causes of the deterioration of the cherry blossom trees.
A tree doctor, Hiroyuki Wada, said heavy tilting, flowering on lower trunks and mushrooms growing at the bottom were signs to look for to avoid risk-prone trees. 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 to 80 years old and getting weaker,” he said, adding that they were affected by extreme heat in the summer and an extensive dry season.
“I hope people think about climate change through what’s happening to the cherry blossom trees, which is very symbolic.”


Following the March 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 ageing 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,” said Lisa Suzuki.
Another visitor Akira Kamiyashiki said he came with his daughter despite the safety concerns because rain was expected over the weekend. “Seeing the keep-off signs, I now feel safe,” he said.
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are Japan’s favourite 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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Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

People picnic outside a cordoned-off area set up to inspect the health of cherry blossom trees at Kinuta Park in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AP

A broken branch is caught up in a damaged cherry tree after a nearby tree fell on it at Kinuta Park in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AP

Visitors ride boats next to blooming cherry trees at Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

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People take pictures with their dog under a cherry blossom tree at Ueno park in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

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Asia

East Asia

People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season


People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season.


Tokyo

Climate change

Environment

Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season

People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season