Record details

Common tree name

Great White Cherry

Species Name

Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku'

Description

This tree, in Leamington, like all other Great White Cherries is descended from a single tree in Sussex. With its resplendent white spring blossom, it was famed in Japanese prints but had vanished from Japan by 1926. That year Collingwood ‘Cherry’ Ingram, an Englishman, was visiting Japan to talk about cherry trees and was shown a picture of the tree which he recognised as one he had found in a garden in Winchelsea, Sussex. Returning home he sent cuttings, embedded in a potato, on the Trans-Siberian Express to Japan and thus the tree was re-introduced there.

Country of origin

Japan, Southeastern Asia

Credits

The 'Trees at Jephson's project' has been delivered by Warwick District Council. With the kind sponsorship of Leamington Town Council and the Leamington Society.