Some of the most iconic sights to behold in Huntsville come from Big Spring Park during the spring months – the Cherry Trees or “soft pink clouds on elegant sticks” as P.L. Travers once called them – bloom all over, a true sign of the end of winter and a fresh start is about the begin.
History
The trees were given, according to the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, by Japanese Major General Mikio Kimata as a thank you for hospitality. He had served at the Redstone Arsenal’s Ordnance Guided Missile Program. He donated 60 Yoshino Cherry Trees and also donated a “friendship bridge” for the United States Bicentennial. The bridge and trees were formally dedicated to the town on May 3, 1977.
1998 Renovations
Kimata and the Japanese Society of Alabama helped finance a $36,000 renovation of the bridge to restyle, expand, and do general maintenance. This also included checking up on the health of the trees, and even placing a few more.
Since 1998, there have been many different organizations within Huntsville that have participated in clean ups of the park in order to keep the trees healthy and prosperous.
Cherry Tree Symbolism
Cherry Trees are often given as a gift in thanks; they are all over our country as gifts from other nations, including in New York City and in Washington DC. According to the Huffington Post, Cherry Trees represent the “the fragility and the beauty of human life.” According to the National Parks Service, Cherry Trees also “epitomize the transformation of Japanese culture,” including the relationship with other nations.
Cherry Tree Care
Cherry Trees can be a very particular tree, and it is important to have professionals look after them to keep them in top shape. They need to be pruned by a tree trimming Huntsville service at least twice a year, once in late winter before blooming and once in autumn. Since the park is used quite often by children, the ground has to be aerated frequently to provide adequate watering. There also has to be frequent checks to avoid any infestations that could be deadly to these beautiful trees.
If you don’t frequent Big Spring Park, make it a priority to visit sometime between mid-March and mid-April to see the blooming trees and beautiful flowers.
If you have any questions about Cherry Tree maintenance, or tree maintenance of any kind, give All Star Tree Service in Huntsville, AL a call at (256) 513-6277.
Picture Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Big_Spring_Park_Japanese_Bridge.jpg
The post The Cherry Trees of Big Spring Park in Huntsville, AL appeared first on All Star Tree Service.