The Changing Landscape of Taiwan's Cherry Blossom Obsession

TaiwanPlus News

Cherry blossom watching is an increasingly popular activity in Taiwan, but some of the country's cherry trees are not faring well against climate change.

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00:00One of Taiwan's chilliest winters in years is coming to an end, and residents are flocking

00:06to the hills around the capital Taipei, soaking up the sunshine and the first signs of spring,

00:12cherry blossoms.

00:13It's like walking in nature. It's relaxing.

00:16It's almost like playing in winter and welcoming spring.

00:22Yangming Mountain is the most famous in Taipei. It's the most beautiful place in Taipei.

00:27These cherry blossom watchers are part of a growing crowd in Taiwan.

00:32In this national park just outside the capital Taipei, thousands of cherry blossom trees

00:37of different varieties flower every year between January and March, Taiwan's coldest months.

00:43It's one of a growing number of cherry blossom sites in the country, attracting hundreds

00:47of thousands of visitors every year.

00:49But not every cherry blossom forest is flowering as successfully as this one.

00:54Many of the trees in Taiwan were planted by the Japanese when they colonized Taiwan

00:58for the first half of the 20th century. But as these imports reach maturity, they are

01:03not doing well, unsuited to Taiwan's hotter and wetter weather.

01:11Tree doctor Jan Fengchun has dedicated decades to nursing Taiwan's ailing cherry trees.

01:24She says climate change is only going to make her job harder.

01:47In a bid to grow more healthy, beautiful trees, people here are turning to new local breeds

01:52better suited to Taiwan's climate.

01:57And one farmer, Zhang Zhoufu, has developed a hybrid of Japan and Taiwan varieties which

02:02thrives in warmer temperatures. He's even exported these plants to tropical Singapore.

02:15Taiwan's enthusiasm for cherry blossoms has come under criticism in the past. Decades

02:19ago people replaced indigenous forests with cherry trees, impacting biodiversity and local

02:25ecosystems.

02:28Tree doctor Jan Fengchun says cherry blossoms should be enjoyed alongside other natural

02:32wonders of the forest.

02:41As the planet warms and climate changes rapidly, Taiwan's natural landscape, like much of

02:46the world, faces an uncertain future. But understanding these trees beyond their aesthetic

02:53value could help them flourish, and allow future generations to bask in their beauty.

02:59Luffy Lee, John Su, Pichi Chuang and Rick Lawert for Taiwan Plus.

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