After a GoFundMe raised $30k to replace the vandalized trees, new ones have finally arrived in Japantown.
At the beginning of this month, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) revealed that their new cherry blossom trees arrived from Oregon, over a month earlier than expected! They also have plans to create a beautiful art installation on the sidewalk surrounding the trees.
The new trees were not scheduled to arrive until the end of August, but due to a heat wave in Oregon, the tree company there decided to ship them down earlier. The JCCCNC is planning to rededicate the trees alongside a new art installation, which will feature a flowing “river” on the sidewalk made from stone pavers.
Three of Japantown’s beloved historic cherry blossom trees were destroyed back in January. The trees were originally 12 to 15 feet high, but an unknown vandal removed every branch down to their trunks, ensuring that San Francisco wouldn’t be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms this spring.
UPDATE: We have created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to replace the cherry blossom trees. We greatly appreciate…
Posted by Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) on Wednesday, January 6, 2021
However, after a GoFundMe to replace the trees went viral, almost 600 generous donors from across the country raised over $30,000. The donations blew past the initial goal of $5,000, shocking the JCCCNC.
The original cherry blossom trees were planted in front of the JCCCNC in 1994, to honor the visit of His and Her Majesty of Japan. The Center will add a fourth tree, called the “tree of hope,” to honor the community support they received after the January incident. In the end, San Francisco will be able to enjoy their beautiful blossoms next spring!
The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California can be found at 1840 Sutter St in San Francisco.
[Featured Image: Photo by David Maunsell on Unsplash]