Reviewed by: Michael Seale
It’s cherry blossom season at Big Spring Park in Huntsville
The two cherry blossom trees in Big Spring Park are in full bloom.
Full bloom only lasts around a week so go check them out before it’s too late.
Cherry blossoms are blossoming everywhere
Right now at Big Spring Park, you’ll find two beautiful authentic Japanese cherry blossom trees currently in the midst of their full bloom. The booming period for a cherry blossom tree typically lasts for a few weeks in spring, but ‘peak bloom’ only lasts a few days.
In other parts of the country like Washington DC, the cherry blossom capital of the U.S., the cherry blossoms will normally reach peak bloom around the last week of March, but here in Alabama with our warmer climate we reach peak bloom a bit earlier. (via the National Park Service)
You’ll find the two trees near the Church Street intersection on the waterfall side of the park. You’ll know it’s them by the bright white petals, winding trunk and branches and a distinct sweet smell that seems to cover the entire area.
The history of the Big Spring trees
The two trees here in Huntsville are some of only a handful of authentic Japanese Sakura trees in the country. If you make your way over to the red bridge that crosses the lake in the park you’ll find a plaque on one of the posts that reads:
“This bridge and the cherry trees in this park are gifts from General Mikio Kimata – Japanese Self Defense Forces, in commemoration of the U.S. bicentennial and in recognition of the hispitality, comprehensive training, and cooperation in the Japanese Air Defense missile programs by the city of Huntsville, Madison county, and the U.S. Army.”
In Japan, Sakura trees blooming are seen as a sign of human life, transience and nobleness, and are accompanied by celebrations and festivals. You’ll find cherry blossom festivals happening all over the world and throughout the U.S. this month, including ones in Washington DC, Nashville and Atlanta.
Unfortunately, there are no plans for a cherry blossom festival in the park this year, but maybe in the future we can have a proper celebration of these beautiful trees.
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