Cherry blossom trees are well-known for their beauty, admired worldwide, such that

the trees themselves attract tourists who come to Japan to enjoy a view of the tree flowers in
full bloom. But if we plant them in the Philippines, we may cause adverse effects on our
ecological system and biodiversity.

According to Haribon Foundation, an organization advocating for environment

preservation, the cherry blossom tree as an “exotic tree” has not yet adapted to Philippine
weather, biodiversity, local wildlife, and soil unlike native trees. (Barre, 2016) They grow fast,
but are short-lived. Flowering cherries are prone to a host of diseases that can shorten their
lifespan, but even healthy trees rarely live for more than 20 years. (The Manila Times, 2016)
However, cherry blossoms may grow not only in japan and other countries but it might
grow here in the Philippines specifically in Atok, Benguet, Provided that Cherry blossoms
should be given the best possible chances by planting them in the right place and tending to
their needs throughout the growing season. The trees should not be planted below the soil
level, as wet soil against the trunk is a vector for disease. Most flowering cherries will exhibit
symptoms of some type of pest damage during the course of their lives.
Flowering cherries generally prefer full sun, but in blistering hot climates, planting them
where they will receive shade in the late afternoon is a good idea. They will grow with a half
day of sun or filtered light throughout the day, but flowering will be reduced. Cherry blossom
trees are not drought tolerant. They respond well to rich, fertile soil, so it is a good idea to
amend the planting area generously with compost at planting time. (cherry blossom tree, 2016)
Initially, the team from Japan planned to plant the trees in Mt. Pulag, which has a more
temperate climate. But since the mountain’s altitude is too high for the trees to survive, the
team opted to plant the trees in Atok. (Cherry blossoms to bloom in benguet, 2016)
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of sisterhood ties between Benguet province and
Kochi prefecture in Japan, officials of both places and from the Japanese embassy planted
more than 30 cherry blossoms and other kinds of trees from Japan on Monday, June 5, 2016
(The Manila Times, 2016)
In November 2015, more than 100 cherry blossoms were initially propagated.
However, only a few survived because these were planted at the wrong season as explained
by Japanese botanist Kiyuharu Yamamoto. In the month of November the climate of Atok,
Benguet is cold which would result to the frosting of the newly planted cherry blossoms. In
japan they usually plant Cherry Blossoms during spring season which is from March to May
and in this season it is the start of the warm weather (The Summit Express, 2016)
Trees can be planted in early spring, after the danger of frost has past, or in early fall,
allowing plenty of time for roots to establish before the first freeze. They require regular
watering throughout the entire growing season the first year after planting (Beal)
In the highly elevated areas of the Cordillera region, the temperature is freezing at
night ‘til early morning. As a consequence, frosts, locally called andap, are seen forming
from the dew on the ground during night time and before sunrise.
Atok, Benguet is characterized by high mountains, where the highest point in the
entire country’s highway system is at 2,255 meters or 7,400 feet. With its elevation
characterized by cloudy and freezing temperature, there are areas of this town where
‘andap‘ or frost occurs. Weather experts claim that the freezing point, when andap usually
occurs in higher areas is when the temperature drops below 10°C. (Allad-iw, 2014)
In Japan, it consists of a group of islands lying between latitudes 32 - 45 degrees
north. The country has a generally mountainous terrain, especially the island of Honshu,
where the highest peaks rise to over 12,000ft (3,600m). The Japanese islands have a
climate modified by the sea; thus, as compared to areas in the same latitude on the
 mainland, winters are less cold and rain or snowfall is much heavier. (National
Environment Agency of Singapore, 2015)
The cherry blossoms which are cool climate plants do best in mountain and tableland
areas and other regions with cold winters and mild summers (Burke).

REFERENCES :

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/cherry-blossom-trees-not-suited-to-ph-

ecosystem/268527/
Allad-iw, A. L. (2014, January 11). Retrieved from InterAksyon:
http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/photos-its-ice-month-in-benguetso-cold-its-
frosting
Beal, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from SF Gate: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/time-plant-yoshino-
cherry-57725.html
Burke, D. (n.d.). Retrieved from Burke's Backyard: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-
sheets/people-places/burkes-backyard-overseas/japanese-cherry-
blossom/#.WCSnndJ97IV
Cherry blossom tree. (2016). garden. lovetoknow, 1.
Cherry blossoms to bloom in benguet. (2016). the summit express, 1.
National Environment Agency of Singapore. (2015, November 23). Retrieved from
http://www.nea.gov.sg/weather-climate/climate/climate-of-cities-in-asia/climate-of-
japan
The Manila Times. (2016, June 18). Retrieved from manilatimes.net:
http://www.manilatimes.net/cherry-blossom-trees-not-suited-to-ph-
ecosystem/268527/
The Summit Express. (2016, June 8). Retrieved from thesummitexpress.com:
http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2016/06/cherry-blossom-benguet.html