Cardiff is to receive 120 trees in total across two parks
HEATH Park has been given 100 cherry blossom trees from Japan by the Sakura Cherry Tree Project – with another 20 on their way to Bute Park.
The Heath Park trees have already been planted, with children from nearby Birchgrove and Ton-yr-Ywen primary schools helping at the ceremony on Wednesday.
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Coun Rod McKerlich, who was at a well-attended ceremony to commemorate the bond between the two countries, said: “It’s a real honour for Cardiff to be chosen to host so many of these beautiful cherry trees which I understand will blossom well into the 22nd century as a long-lasting symbol of the mutual understanding between our two nations.”
Wales and Japan have shared a fruitful relationship of late, with 3.7% of Wales’ imports coming from Japan in 2020 and a reported £1 billion worth of exports to Japan in the last five years.
This scheme comes as part of Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure Coun Peter Bradbury’s pledge to plant 16,000 new trees across Cardiff in 2022.
Heath and Birchgrove’s ward councillors all attended the ceremony, and Coun Lyn Hudson said: “It was lovely to attend the tree planting ceremony at Heath Park to celebrate the friendship and cooperation between Japan and Wales. It’s a brilliant initiative and a very generous gesture from the Sakura Project.”
Coun Julie Sangani said: “I am sure our community will have great pleasure to have the trees in Heath Park when once fully grown and in full bloom, the trees will form a beautiful walkway through the park.
“I am delighted that the Sakura Cherry Tree Project chose Heath Park in Cardiff North as one of the locations to donate trees. It is so important that we recognise and celebrate our international friendships.”
