Embedded Files
Timeline of the Pittsburgh Sakura Project
2007
May: The Japan Associate Greater Pittsburgh Board of Directors passed a resolution to "Plant Cherry Trees in Pittsburgh" and the committee was formed.
Kary Arimoto and Rick Mercer were in charge of the tree planting design. Applied for establishment of a nonprofit organization. Applied for planting permission from the Allegheny County Parks Department
2008
The official name will be the Pittsburgh Sakura Project.
2009
February 5th: A meeting was held at the Allegheny County Dept. of Park regarding tree planting.
The park department approved the planting..
April 25th: Over 300 people participated in the first tree planting. Performances included Japanese drums, koto, and Japanese songs.: Area F (uphill from Pearce Shelter) Accolade and Yoshino: 40 cherry trees were planted.2月5日 Allegheny County Dept of Park.
July 30th: 501(c)(3) status was approved by the IRS.
2010
April: Spring Tree Planting Autumn Tree Planting Area D Pink fair Area C Weeping Area I Autumnalis 37 trees planted
2011
April 9th: 2011 Planting Day, including bare root Sargent cherry trees and a sentinel white oak planted in memory of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake (3.11) and Tsunami.
June 25th, Benefit Concert by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Fall Planting: Area E: Acccolade
2012
April 29th,Pittsburgh Sakura Festival, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the original gift of
cherry trees from Japan to the US in 1912 to 2012, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation
Spring Planting: Snow Goose
Fall Planting: Area B Okame, Area F Yoshino, Area I Snow Goose
2013
Planting: Area L Accolade
2014
April 27th: Planting five cherry trees in Area F (replacing ones planted in 2009 that died) November 8th: Autumn planting A -Accolade Area B Weeping cherry
2015
April 4th: Spring planting festival
April 12: Spring Photography Workshop in the park
Many buds were damaged due to an unfortunately timed cold wave.
Nov. 7th: Fall Planting Day
2016
April 30th: Flower Viewing Festival at the Rose Barn, featuring performances on koto and violin, an Aikido demonstration, and reading of the winning essays in our essay contest.
Many buds were damaged due to an unfortunately timed cold wave. Surviving buds blossomed at the same time the leaves opened. They were still pretty, but not the expected pink clouds of cherry blossoms that normally arrive before the leaves.
Nov. 5th: Fall Planting Day
2017
April 22nd: volunteer appreciation event. We were blessed with good weather and were able to enjoy the beautiful flowers, due to a later than normal bloom.
Nov. 4th: Fall Planting Day
2018
April 22nd: Cherry blossom viewing event with tour, enjoyed by many people.
Nov. 3rd: Fall Planting Day
Nov. 6th: Meeting with the Director of the Parks Division at North Park to discuss the upcoming PSP 10th anniversary.
2019
April 7th: PSP 10th Anniversary Celebration, with special guests: the Japanese Consul in New York, Allegheny County Executive and Parks Director, and our designers, featuring live performances of Japanese seasonal music on koto, taiko, shakuhachi and flute, sharing PSP history, and appreciating our dedicated volunteers, refreshments and a tree tour.
Haiku contest
Installation of a kiosk and a map of the planting area identifying the groves; Installation of a commemorative bench by the lake. Professional planting of a larger Accolade cherry tree by Pearce Mill Rd., near the entrance to the Boathouse parking lot.
November 2nd: Fall Planting Day
2020
As of the end of March, all activities were suspended due to COVID-19.
However, the cherry blossoms bloomed beautifully. We focused on getting photos out via our Facebook page.
No public events were held. In the fall, a small group planted 5 cherry trees.
2021
Due to COVID-19, no events were held. A small autumn tree planting took place.
2022
The cherry trees bloomed beautifully.
We returned to holding small tree care work sessions.
Nov. 5th: Fall Planting Day: Accolade, Okame.
2023
Before and after the cherry blossoms bloomed, we weeded and mulched. We pruned in the winter.
Nov. 4th: Fall Planting Day
2024
A warm winter
April 13th: A cherry blossom viewing event was held with many attendees.
An intense summer storm damaged North Park and killed one cyclist, downing trees and electrical wires. Two large older pine trees fell on several Accolade cherries planted in 2023. These young trees are somehow hanging on to life.
Regular tree care sessions continued: weeding, mulching and winter pruning.
2025
A cold winter. Too cold for pruning work sessions!
April 5th: Cherry blossom viewing event
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse