Expansion under way for Keele’s world-famous cherry tree collection
Keele University’s world-famous cherry tree collection – which received a prestigious award from the Japanese Ambassador to the UK earlier this year – is set to grow even further.
The University's campus is already home to more than 460 flowering cherry trees, representing 240 different varieties, making it the largest publicly accessible collection in the UK.
Work is now underway to expand the collection, with a particular focus on planting additional trees around the modern Science and Innovation Park and the University's main entrance.
Dr Sarah Taylor, a lecturer in ecology at Keele, has joined the volunteer team responsible for caring for and maintaining the collection, taking on the role of curator. In addition, a generous donation from Keele alumnus Professor Philip Davies will fund a 75-hour student placement to further support the volunteers’ work, as well as provide new signage at the campus entrance to showcase Keele's national collection.
Dr Taylor said: "There are exciting developments on the horizon. We want to make the cherry collection bigger, better and more joined up, including expansion to the Science and Innovation Park. Our goal is for it to become officially the largest collection in the UK.
"For the first time, we've been able to offer a cherry-tree assistant work placement, funded by alumnus Professor Philip Davies. A Keele student will photograph the blossoms to create 360-degree views of the trees in bloom and develop digital integration, enabling the blossom to be enjoyed year-round on a smartphone. This forms part of an ambitious project to create a virtual blossom journey for those who may not be able to experience the trees in person during the spring.
"It is a great honour to take on the role of curator of the much cherished and celebrated cherry collection. Trees are my life work, but I have much to learn about cherry cultivars and I am undertaking an 'apprenticeship' with my much-esteemed predecessor, Peter Thomas."
This week, three new trees were planted near the University's main entrance. The latest additions include Prunus Sumaura Fugenzo - also known as Japanese Lantern - a flowering cherry variety that has not previously been grown on campus. Known for its fragrant, bee-attracting blossoms, the tree produces striking, densely double-frilled flowers in shades of white, pink and green, deepening in colour as they mature. The new trees will provide visitors with a vibrant and eye-catching welcome to the campus.
The planting was carried out by Keele's Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheff and Professor Mark Ormerod OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.
Professor Shakesheff said: "One of the defining features of our university is its expansive, green parkland campus, and the cherry trees are undoubtedly one of its greatest highlights. A tremendous amount of work happens behind the scenes by a passionate team of volunteers who not only maintain the collection but also help it continue to grow, and I’m extremely grateful for their dedication. We want our campus to be a place that can be enjoyed by students, staff, and the wider public, and these new trees will only enhance that experience."
In April, Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s Ambassador to the UK, travelled to the University and awarded Keele with a prestigious Certificate of Commendation for its collection of flowering cherries.
Keele has been planted with flowering cherries since the first ornamental grounds were laid out in the 1940s. Since then, many flowering cherries have been added around the 600-acre campus, and springtime at Keele is now synonymous with cherry blossom.
