The second blossoming tree of spring

The cherry trees bloomed in spectacular fashion as always in Noda City’s Shimizu Park and the avenue of gnarled and ancient trees that leads to the park. Very soon after, the dogwoods started to show buds, and they’re fully open this week. 

Dogwoods of the variety that are planted as street trees and garden features are not native to Japan. They’re actually a variety from the eastern U.S. The trees were a gift from the U.S. in return for the somei yoshino variety of cherry trees given by the Japanese government to the U.S. about 100 years ago. The parent tree from which the trees are descended lives on a school ground in Tokyo. 

In our front street, it appears we have a bicolor tree, just like some cherry and plum trees are bicolor.