Expert available to comment on cultural significance of the flowering Sakura

York’s Sakura cherry trees have officially reached Stage 2, with large, rounded buds revealing their first hints of green. These unfurling tips are the first sign that the University’s more than 100 trees are beginning their seasonal transformation. The blossoms are on track to reach their spectacular peak by late April or early May. Peak bloom, when 70 per cent of a tree’s buds have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days. The duration of the display will depend on the region’s unpredictable spring weather.

In 2003, York became the first university in Canada to participate in the Sakura Project, an initiative by the Japanese government to plant 3,000 cherry trees across Ontario by 2005. Today, the trees are a symbol of the long-standing relationship between Japan and Canada, as well as the University’s deep academic and cultural ties with Japanese institutions.

�첥��Ƶ Associate Professor of Japanese Studies����is available to discuss the cultural significance of the Sakura and the upcoming 100th anniversary of��Japan-Canada diplomatic relations in 2028. Yabuki-Soh teaches Japanese language, linguistics and culture courses. Her research focuses on second language acquisition and Japanese linguistics. She has organized the provincial and national Japanese language speech contests and proctored the Japanese Language Proficiency Test administered by the Japan Foundation since the early 2000s.

The largest stand of cherry trees on York’s sprawling Keele Campus is located outside the Calumet Residence on Arboretum Lane, with smaller clusters outside the Tait McKenzie Centre, Vanier College, the Kinsmen Building and along Campus Walk. 

Visiting York’s Keele Campus:

• Transit: Visitors to the Keele Campus can arrive via the Pioneer Village or �첥��Ƶ TTC stations, with Pioneer Village being the closest to the main grove near Calumet College.
• Accessibility: Both Pioneer Village and �첥��Ƶ TTC stations have elevator access. All trees are located along accessible, paved routes.
• Parking: Paid parking is available across campus for those driving.

For specific tree locations and walking directions, visit York’s . High-resolution photos of previous seasons’ blooms are available for media use upon request.

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Over 100 flowering trees can be found on the University’s expansive Keele Campus

The countdown is on for the much-anticipated arrival of Toronto’s Sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms. In Japan, the trees bloomed five days earlier than last year, with Vancouver, B.C. following the same accelerated timeline. In Washington, D.C., peak season ended abruptly after a storm swept away the petals.

York’s sprawling Keele Campus is home to more than 100 Sakura trees. The largest stand can be found outside the Calumet Residence on Arboretum Lane, with smaller clusters outside the Tait McKenzie Centre, Vanier College, the Kinsmen Building and along Campus Walk. Each spring, the magnificent display draws visitors from around the GTA. Peak bloom, when 70 per cent of the blossoms on a tree have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days.

The blooms are not only visually stunning but also culturally significant. In Japan, Sakura symbolize rebirth, renewal, new beginnings and the fleeting nature of life, inspiring centuries of waka and haiku poetry and the tradition of hanami — flower-viewing picnics under the blossoms.

Visitors to the Keele Campus can arrive via the Pioneer Village or �첥��Ƶ TTC stations, with Pioneer Village being the closest to the main grove near Calumet College. Both stations are accessible with elevator access. All trees are located along paved routes and paid parking is available across campus.

In 2003, York became the first university in Canada to participate in the Sakura Project, an initiative by the Japanese government to plant 3,000 cherry trees across Ontario by 2005. The trees on Keele Campus are a symbol of the long-standing relationship between Japan and Canada, as well as the University’s many cultural and academic ties with Japanese institutions.

Visit York's for specific walking directions and tree locations.

The post �첥��Ƶ’s blooming Sakura cherry trees offer an alternative to High Park appeared first on News@York.

TORONTO, Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – The much anticipated blooming of Toronto’s Sakura or Japanese cherry trees is expected to happen early- to mid-May, but these are more than just pretty flowers. Their blossoming times have been recorded by emperors, aristocrats and monks since the year 854, allowing �첥��Ƶ researchers to better understand shifts in global climates.

Japanese cherry trees in bloom at �첥��Ƶ

�첥��Ƶ Professor Sapna Sharma of the Faculty of Science has studied cherry blossom flowering times from the writings of monks in Japan to understand changes in climate. Her research has shown changes in blooming times coincide with increased rates of warming around the start of the Industrial Revolution.

“In recent years, cherry blossom trees have flowered earlier than at any point in the past 1,200 years consistent with climate warming in Kyoto, Japan,” said Sharma.

Tree rings, corals and ice core data has also shown surface air temperatures globally are warmer than in the past 1,300 to 1,700 years.

Sharma is available to discuss how these delicate blooms can be such a harbinger of temperature changes to come.

Where to see the blooms:

At �첥��Ƶ there more than a 100 trees, many of which are south of , but also east of the . Toronto’s High Park also has quite a few. Check the website for more details on when they’re expected to bloom.

Photos:

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�첥��Ƶ champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. �첥��Ƶ is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. �첥��Ƶ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contacts:

Sandra McLean, �첥��Ƶ Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca

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