■Third year of planting cherry blossom trees; 200 cherry trees planted at the Japan-Korea Tunnel site in Iki and Tsushima this year as well.
The cherry blossom tree planting that started the year before last was carried out again this year. In Tsushima, 120 saplings were planted between March 5th and 10th, and in Iki, 80 saplings were planted over two days, March 12th and 13th.
The plan to plant 1,000 cherry blossoms along the Japan-Korea Tunnel from Karatsu through Iki and Tsushima to the peninsula is halfway through, and the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom in the near future.
In Tsushima, it was necessary to install nets around the saplings to prevent them from being eaten by deer, and the work went smoothly with the cooperation of local people.
The saplings that were protected by deer netting last spring are already producing pale pink flowers, and once the saplings planted this year take root, a beautiful cherry blossom orchard will be created. Although there are challenges unique to Tsushima, such as rocky soil, seasonal strong winds, and dry weather, there is hope that the planted cherry blossoms will flourish as part of the island.
Trees were also planted not only at the tunnel site, but also along the prefectural road from Izuhara, the center of the island, to Are, a 40-minute drive from the site. This time, they will be planted near the entrance to Kanada Castle, a historically important and scenic spot, which becomes an even more beautiful landscape during the cherry blossom season. Kaneda Castle was the front-line defense fort used by Japan in preparation for the invasion of the Tang Dynasty after its crushing defeat at the Battle of Hakushuko in 663.
In Iki, there are no deer, so they were planted with splints. Some areas are thickets of trees and bamboo, so maintenance and felling is required, but the soil is rich, so there is a possibility that it will become one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan as ``Sakura Island'' in the future.
[Photo] Cherry blossom saplings planted along the approach road to the entrance of Aren, Tsushima. On the right side of the road are saplings planted last year.
[Photo] Planting saplings at a point next to the slope of the entrance to Aren, Tsushima
[Photo] Cherry blossom saplings planted along the prefectural road in front of Kaneda Castle, Tsushima
[Photo] Iki/Ashibe A sapling can be seen on the right side with a green splint
[Photo] A sapling planted last year with flowers on the slope of the tunnel entrance in Aren, Tsushima. Photograph taken in April last year.
