Cherry Trees

Today I'm featuring two postcards at once - because it is freaky that they were together in the box, and that they look so much alike, and that one is from North Carolina in 1967 and one is from Kanazawa, Japan mailed in 1963!

Have a look and a read:

Top from Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina:

"A delightful village - 80 degrees this afternoon. 5 large golf courses - John is having a splendid time you know where! Andy says you two would enjoy the quaint shops here - we went to church this a.m. in Durham, N.C. arrived here after lunch. Hope you are having a fine Easter. Cleaned and packed drapes before I left."

Bottom from Kanazawa, Japan: "Dear Friends, One of our oldest cherry trees goes on this card to greet you and to say thanks for your part in this wonderful trip. I am loving every minute."

I have learned that the Village of Pinehurst is situated in the Sandhills of North Carolina and boasts world-famous golf courses. This beautiful area was settled in the 18th century by Highland Scots and has a moderate climate and sandy soil and beaches. A coincidence is that the city of Kitchener, Ontario (my birthplace) was originally called Sandhills because it too is an area full of sand hills. Kitchener was founded in 1806 as Dutch Sand Hills and was renamed Berlin in 1830 and Kitchener in 1916. The new city hall building boosts a wing called Sandhills (the other is called Ebytown).

While I couldn't find a photo of the cherry tree in the square of Pinehurst, I did discover that there is a section of town featuring English gardens which volunteers tend - and they have famed Japanese weeping cherry trees that "bloom in the spring and will take your breath away." How coincidental!

I think the reference to "cleaned and packed the drapes" refers to a custom of putting up winter drapes (heavy) and then taking them down during spring cleaning. This was to add insulation to our houses in the cold Canadian winters.

In Japan, the viewing of cherry blossoms (or sakura) is a major event and many people arrive early to public gardens to lay out a picnic blanket and get a good spot. They will picnic and watch the blooms fall like snowflakes. Admission is usually free during this time, and the gardens are lit in the evening. According to the internet, visitors love not only the view but the energy they receive from the trees. Sigh.

Kenrokuen Garden (called Kenroku Park on the old postcard) is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, and was started more than 300 years ago. According to the Kanazawa meteorological observatory, cherry blossoms in Kanazawa will come to bloom from around April 1st this year.

There are many varieties of Japanese cherry trees. Some individual specific trees have been named - like people are named - because they have been living for centuries. This tree must be of the variety Kikuzakura, rather than that being its name. This is one of the latest blooming varieties in Japan, and it has 100 petals per blossom (some, like the Yamazuka has 5 petals, and the Ukon has 10-20 petals and the Fugenzo has about 30 petals per blossom).

I love cherry trees, although most North American trees are a different variety. Bing Cherries are my favourite and it is on my bucket list to plant a cherry tree in my backyard. I have discovered that, if I do so, I'll have to plant two trees. Without a "cross pollinator" another cherry tree near by, it may not bear fruit. Also that it will attract birds to my yard (I'm ok with that - I love birdsong.)

I think I will add to my bucket list: "Visit Japan in April to see century-old, named trees blossom and experience pink snowflakes. Get energy from the trees."