Re: 鈥淐ity mulls cherry blossoms strategy,鈥� March 1.
The recent concerns about Victoria鈥檚 vaunted cherry trees has raised many pulses and deep feelings over their (assumed) disappearance.
The article clarifies most of the issues raised and the strategy in Victoria鈥檚 Urban Forest Plan: 鈥淩ight tree in the right place.鈥�
However, it omitted the right-grouping component, whereby future planting will not be one-species arrays 鈥� such as used in the cherry trees鈥� establishment. It resulted in 鈥淕rande All茅es鈥� of one species or cultivar, setting the table for hungry insects and diseases when the trees aged, as can be seen now.
Future replacement species will be selected for their tolerance to stresses, such as the predicted droughts occurring more frequently and deeply. The mixed plantings will spread the hazard among the 鈥渞ight tree in the right site鈥� mixtures to reach greater stability and lower costs of maintenance, especially watering.
The welcome cherry blossoms last about two weeks and the trees about 50 years. The replacement mixture, perhaps including cherries, will offer various arrays of blossoms, likely attracting different insects, birds, etc., and last far longer under less-expensive maintenance.
When replacement is needed, there will still be established trees standing, reducing the 鈥渆mpty blanks鈥� effect concerning some worried people.
M.D. Meagher, RPF (Ret.)
Saanich
