As spring approaches and the sun begins to shine a bright, warm glow onto campus, flowers and foliage come out of their winter hibernation. Walking through campus now, patches of California poppies dot various paths and magnolias bathe in a newfound sun. But perhaps one of the most anticipated spring flora are campus’s signature cherry blossoms.
The light pink, almost white cherry blossoms — scientific name Prunus x yedoensis and more commonly known as the Yoshino Cherry — grow along University Drive by campus’s West Gate area.
The California Japanese American Alumni Association raised money in order to plant these flowers back in November 2011. The trees are dedicated to Japanese American alumni, according to the alumni association.
The alumni association raised more than $250,000 for the project, which included the installation of a stone-mounted bronze plaque. It then hosted a dedication ceremony for the cherry blossoms in April 2013.
“This grove of cherry trees stands as a legacy to the graduates of Japanese ancestry in recognition of their contribution to our society and as a tribute to the educational excellence of the University of California,” reads the plaque located at the grove.
The cherry blossoms are a symbol of “Japanese culture and heritage with a spirit of unity,” according to the Cherry Tree Project website. In traditional Japanese culture, the flowers are meant to symbolize the “transience of life” that can powerfully remind people to stop and appreciate the present moment.
The trees are currently managed by UC Berkeley Capital Projects, with campus landscape architect and alumnus Jim Horner planning and reviewing the sites.
The flowers have historically bloomed from March through April, bringing a fresh pop of color to the greenery on campus. This year, the grove’s cherry blossoms have just started to bloom, signaling the start of the season.
“The most enjoyable part is that they always bloom during the spring,” said junior Annie Duong. “Walking past and seeing that they’re blooming just makes it feel way more warm and inviting.”
As the end of the semester nears, the cherry blossoms are also a popular location for graduation photos.
It’s clear that the blossoms have also become a signature feature of UC Berkeley’s campus landscape.
“I’m really excited to experience the cherry blossoms,” said freshman Jude Hammouda. “I feel like it’ll make the springtime feel more like springtime instead of summer.”