Dulwich and Herne Hill are in full bloom thanks to the blossoming of their stunning Yoshino cherry trees, bringing a touch of Japan to their streets.
The almond-scented, blush-white flowers have sprouted across East Dulwich, Dulwich Village, Herne Hill and elsewhere in recent weeks, marking the return of spring.
There has been some dispute over who kickstarted the planting of the first trees in the area. David Langley says he started the project and planted the first trees in November 2006, on Winterbrook Road, Herne Hill.
I almost missed my train taking photos of Stradella Road today. Couldn't resist ??? pic.twitter.com/3lJ19cKZ9s
— Karim Dia Toubajie (@karimtoubajie) March 27, 2023
David says he had lived in Japan and had long admired their cherry trees. He said: “When I first moved into Winterbook Road there were just some large lime trees in the road and there was nothing else there. It was a very urban and austere road making it absolutely perfect for this opportunity.”
But former councillor Robin Crookshank Hilton claims that she instigated the first Yoshino planting on Melbourne Grove two years later in 2008.
Today, the Yoshinos’ dramatic weeping canopies are visible on Stradella Road, Winterbrook Road, East Dulwich Grove, Lordship Lane and elsewhere.
A further ten trees were planted last spring as part of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, a goodwill initiative between Japan and UK.
“They are thriving and will make a great addition to the rest of the trees in the street,” said David.
One social media user tweeted: “I almost missed my train taking photos of Stradella Road today. Couldn’t resist.”
The Yoshino cherry is native to the Yoshino District in Nara, Japan, and first arrived in the UK at Kew Gardens in 1910.
For decades, they were rarely planted in the UK but they have recently gained a reputation for both their beauty and hardiness, making them perfect street trees.
Their small cherries, although bitter to the human palette, are popular among birds and other small animals.
Beautiful blossom on East Dulwich Grove #SE22 #BlossomWatch pic.twitter.com/0hBnzG4EcB
— EDSTN Healthy Streets (@EdstnStreets) March 22, 2023
The blooming of cherry trees has been cause for celebration in Japan for centuries, where they are traditionally believed to hold spirits.
In 1912, the Mayor of Tokyo gifted thousands of Yoshino cherry trees to Washington DC, USA, to mark the growing friendship between Japan and the United States.