Rare Cherry Blossoms Discovered on Ancient Tomb in Kobe Preserved by Arborists
Arborists in Kobe City, Japan, have identified and are preserving a rare variety of cherry blossom trees growing on the grounds of ancient burial mounds known as kofun. The Imperial Household Agency restricts public access to these sites, but arborist Kiyohiro Shikata first noticed the unique trees at the Ozuka Tumulus in 2007. Unlike local wild cherries that bloom in March, these trees flower later, around April 20, with petals that do not open completely flat. In 2019, Shikata collaborated with cherry blossom expert Takayuki Fujiwara to study the trees further. They determined the blossoms represent a distinct local specialty. To ensure their survival, the experts are cultivating successor trees from the original specimens found at the Ozuka and Nusazuka tumuli in Nishi-ku, Kobe. This effort connects the historical significance of the ancient tombs with future botanical preservation, effectively treating the kofun as a time capsule for this unique floral heritage. The story highlights the intersection of cultural property protection and botanical science in Hyogo Prefecture.
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Rare Cherry Blossoms Discovered on Ancient Tomb in Kobe Preserved by Arborists
Arborists in Kobe City, Japan, have identified and are preserving a rare variety of cherry blossom trees growing on the grounds of ancient burial mounds known as kofun. The Imperial Household Agency restricts public access to these sites, but arborist Kiyohiro Shikata first noticed the unique trees at the Ozuka Tumulus in 2007. Unlike local wild cherries that bloom in March, these trees flower later, around April 20, with petals that do not open completely flat. In 2019, Shikata collaborated with cherry blossom expert Takayuki Fujiwara to study the trees further. They determined the blossoms represent a distinct local specialty. To ensure their survival, the experts are cultivating successor trees from the original specimens found at the Ozuka and Nusazuka tumuli in Nishi-ku, Kobe. This effort connects the historical significance of the ancient tombs with future botanical preservation, effectively treating the kofun as a time capsule for this unique floral heritage. The story highlights the intersection of cultural property protection and botanical science in Hyogo Prefecture.
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