Cherry flowers against Roihuvuori water tower in Roihuvuori, Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Simo Räsänen
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A major pruning error has jeopardised the spring bloom of Helsinki’s Roihuvuori Cherry Park, a cherished site known for its annual Hanami celebration. The mistake, attributed to excessive cutting by a private contractor, has left nearly 100 of the park’s 152 cherry trees with diminished prospects for blooming this year.
The pruning, conducted by YIT Road Oy, was initially intended to improve cyclist safety by trimming branches encroaching on pathways.
However, city officials found that many flowering branches had been unnecessarily removed, compromising the trees’ ability to bloom for up to four years.
“This is truly unfortunate, and we are thoroughly investigating how this occurred,” said Kari Pudas, Helsinki’s technical director. He added that experts are assessing possible restorative actions, including supplementary plantings.
The mishap has caused widespread disappointment among local residents and park enthusiasts. Otto-Ville Mikkelä, leader of the Roihuvuori Society, expressed shock at the scale of the pruning.
“I expected small branches to be trimmed, but major cuts have been made, removing flowering branches at eye level,” he said. “This could have a significant impact on this spring’s Hanami festivities.”
YIT Road Oy issued an apology, calling the incident an “extremely regrettable error” and stating that efforts are underway to address the situation alongside city authorities.
The trees in Roihuvuori Cherry Park were donated by Japanese residents and companies in Helsinki and planted between 2007 and 2009. The park has become a popular cultural site, especially in May when the Hanami festival draws large crowds to admire the pink blossoms and celebrate Japanese traditions.
The annual celebration may now be in jeopardy, with the extent of the damage to the trees’ bloom remaining unclear.
City officials are exploring long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of the error. Initial inspections reveal that approximately one-third of the trees were untouched, offering hope for some flowering this year.
“The focus now is on securing the park’s future and determining how best to restore its full vitality,” said Juha Raisio, the city’s tree expert.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
