04/30/2026
BBSTC Tree of the Month: May 2026
What tree could possibly herald the arrival of Spring more poignantly than the Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata)? These beautiful ornamentals never fail to take your breath away when in full bloom. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but their delicate vanilla-like scent draws you in even closer. And on a breezy spring day when in full bloom, the flying petals dance about in the air and brush up against your cheek gently (or get stuck to your dog’s wet nose as you walk him). Japanese cherries are truly a sensory experience. Native to Asia, these trees are especially prized in Japan, where they symbolize the transient nature of things and bravery, and China, where they represent feminine strength and beauty. These trees, members of the rose family, are hardy and resilient and are known as good trees for lazy gardeners, or gardeners who don’t know what they are doing. These Japanese Cherry trees can be found thriving on 2nd Avenue in Bradley Beach, close to the beach, just to prove their hardiness, but one can look around or follow one’s nose and find them blooming all over town for a short but glorious period of time.
