Expert available to comment on cultural significance of the flowering Sakura

91亚色鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 buds have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days. The duration of the display will depend on the region鈥檚 unpredictable spring weather.

In 2003, 91亚色 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鈥檚 deep academic and cultural ties with Japanese institutions.

91亚色 Associate Professor of Japanese Studies听听is available to discuss the cultural significance of the Sakura and the upcoming 100th anniversary of听Japan-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.

The largest stand of cherry trees on 91亚色鈥檚 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. 

Visiting 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus:

• Transit: Visitors to the Keele Campus can arrive via the Pioneer Village or 91亚色 TTC stations, with Pioneer Village being the closest to the main grove near Calumet College.
• Accessibility: Both Pioneer Village and 91亚色 TTC stations have elevator access. All trees are located along accessible, paved routes.
• Parking: Paid parking is available across campus for those driving.

For specific tree locations and walking directions, visit 91亚色鈥檚 . High-resolution photos of previous seasons鈥� blooms are available for media use upon request.

The post Cherry blossom watch: Over 100 Sakura trees preparing to bloom on Keele Campus appeared first on News@91亚色.

Over 100 flowering trees can be found on the University鈥檚 expansive Keele Campus

The countdown is on for the much-anticipated arrival of Toronto鈥檚 Sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms. In Japan, the trees bloomed five days earlier than last year, with Vancouver, B.C. following the same accelerated timeline. In Washington, D.C., peak season ended abruptly after a storm swept away the petals.

91亚色鈥檚 sprawling Keele Campus is home to more than 100 Sakura trees. The largest stand can be found outside the Calumet Residence on Arboretum Lane, with smaller clusters outside the Tait McKenzie Centre, Vanier College, the Kinsmen Building and along Campus Walk. Each spring, the magnificent display draws visitors from around the GTA. Peak bloom, when 70 per cent of the blossoms on a tree have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days.

The blooms are not only visually stunning but also culturally significant. In Japan, Sakura symbolize rebirth, renewal, new beginnings and the fleeting nature of life, inspiring centuries of waka and haiku poetry and the tradition of hanami 鈥� flower-viewing picnics under the blossoms.

Visitors to the Keele Campus can arrive via the Pioneer Village or 91亚色 TTC stations, with Pioneer Village being the closest to the main grove near Calumet College. Both stations are accessible with elevator access. All trees are located along paved routes and paid parking is available across campus.

In 2003, 91亚色 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. The trees on Keele Campus are a symbol of the long-standing relationship between Japan and Canada, as well as the University鈥檚 many cultural and academic ties with Japanese institutions.

Visit 91亚色's for specific walking directions and tree locations.

The post 91亚色鈥檚 blooming Sakura cherry trees offer an alternative to High Park appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, Tuesday, May 1, 2018 鈥� The much anticipated blooming of Toronto鈥檚 Sakura or Japanese cherry trees is expected to happen early- to mid-May, but these are more than just pretty flowers. Their blossoming times have been recorded by emperors, aristocrats and monks since the year 854, allowing 91亚色 researchers to better understand shifts in global climates.

Japanese cherry trees in bloom at 91亚色

91亚色 Professor Sapna Sharma of the Faculty of Science has studied cherry blossom flowering times from the writings of monks in Japan to understand changes in climate. Her research has shown changes in blooming times coincide with increased rates of warming around the start of the Industrial Revolution.

鈥淚n recent years, cherry blossom trees have flowered earlier than at any point in the past 1,200 years consistent with climate warming in Kyoto, Japan,鈥� said Sharma.

Tree rings, corals and ice core data has also shown surface air temperatures globally are warmer than in the past 1,300 to 1,700 years.

Sharma is available to discuss how these delicate blooms can be such a harbinger of temperature changes to come.

Where to see the blooms:

At 91亚色 there more than a 100 trees, many of which are south of , but also east of the . Toronto鈥檚 High Park also has quite a few. Check the website for more details on when they鈥檙e expected to bloom.

Photos:

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91亚色 champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contacts:

Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca

The post A blooming shame 鈥� Japanese cherry trees indicator of global climate change appeared first on News@91亚色.