{"id":23736,"date":"2026-04-17T13:54:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/news\/?p=23736"},"modified":"2026-04-17T14:30:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T18:30:56","slug":"sakura-cherry-trees-keele-campus-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/news\/2026\/04\/17\/sakura-cherry-trees-keele-campus-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"Cherry blossom watch: Over 100 Sakura trees preparing to bloom on Keele Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Expert available to comment on cultural significance of the flowering Sakura<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

York\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s buds have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days. The duration of the display will depend on the region\u2019s unpredictable spring weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s deep academic and cultural ties with Japanese institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

快播视频 Associate Professor of Japanese Studies\u00a0Noriko Yabuki-Soh<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is available to discuss the cultural significance of the Sakura and the upcoming 100th anniversary of\u00a0Japan-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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The largest stand of cherry trees on York\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting York\u2019s Keele Campus:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n