The Japanese community in Victoria is urging city council to reconsider a plan to replace Victoria's iconic flowering Japanese cherry trees with indigenous trees over time.
City councillors approved a $868,000 spending increase for the Urban Forest Master Plan, with a goal to replace non-native species with native trees as needed.
But the President of the Nikkei Cultural Society, Tsugio Kurishima, says back in the 1930's the city was looking for better trees to plant along their boulevards because the native ones were buckling the sidewalks.
So the Japanese community donated the flowering cherry trees that became such an iconic symbol of Victoria's early spring flower displays:
" The Japanese community back then, in the '30s, helped to kick start this campaign because they donated over 1,000 cherry trees in 1937 with their first prize that they got for a float that they had in a parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the city of Victoria."
He says over the decades the city added other varieties, including flowering plums, which explode with colour early in the year creating a beautiful sight for residents and tourists alike.
Kurishima says there was no consultation about the loss of the trees:
" I was surprised to heard that, and also shocked in the sense that if we lose all our cherry trees, they are such an iconic part of our city, they add so much beauty, that it would be a real loss for the community for sure. "
Kurishima says it would be a disgrace not to honour what was such a significant donation to the city from what was a fairly small group of immigrants at the time. He adds there have been other tree donations from Japanese sister cities over the years.
He says the Japanese community is advocating strongly for the city to replace any ailing cherry trees with identical species.
Kurishima adds he was also told last fall that 35 cherry trees chopped down in Beacon Hill Park would be replaced with flowering cherries, but in a more suitable location. He wonders if that will still happen.