Kō: Cherry Blossoms Bloom
The air is warming, and the world is waking up. According to the current kō, “Cherry Blossoms Bloom”, a poetic reminder of fleeting beauty and nature’s delicate balance. I had hoped to capture a few photos of cherry blossoms in bloom this week, but alas, my hunt for a picturesque flowering cherry was unsuccessful. Every promising tree I spotted seemed to be tucked deep in someone’s yard, and while I’m all about chasing beauty, I draw the line at trespassing. I’d rather not explain to a bewildered homeowner why I’m crouching in their bushes with a camera.
When You Can’t Find Cherry Blossoms…
Sometimes nature surprises you when you’re looking for something else. While I didn’t find cherry blossoms, I did stumble upon something blooming spectacularly: a tung oil tree (Vernicia fordii), its branches covered in clusters of delicate white flowers. Now, before you get excited, let’s get one thing straight: this is not a tree to plant in your yard. Trust me.
The Tung Oil Tree: A Southern Survivor
The tung oil tree hails from southern China and was widely planted in the southern United States during the early 20th century. Farmers cultivated it for its valuable seeds, which were processed into tung oil; a fast-drying, water-resistant oil used in varnishes, paints, and even waterproofing ships. For a while, the tung oil boom was a profitable industry, but like many agricultural fads, the market collapsed. The trees, however, didn’t get the memo.
A Persistent Invader
Even though the industry dried up, the trees remained, scattered along forgotten country roads and tucked into quiet corners of neighborhoods like East Hill. The flowers are undeniably beautiful, but looks can be deceiving. All parts of the tung oil tree are highly toxic. From the leaves to the seeds, ingesting even small amounts can be dangerous. This is not the kind of tree you want near curious kids or pets.
Why You Shouldn’t Plant It
If the toxicity wasn’t reason enough, tung oil trees are also invasive. They spread aggressively and outcompete native species, making them a threat to local ecosystems. So, as tempting as it might be to plant something that flowers so brilliantly, I beg you please don’t. Nature gave us cherry blossoms for fleeting beauty. Tung oil trees? That’s a hard pass.
Appreciating What’s Here
Even though I couldn’t capture cherry blossoms this time, I found something unexpected; a reminder that nature doesn’t always give us what we’re looking for, but it often gives us something worth noticing. And sometimes, what we don’t plant (or encourage) is just as important as what we do.
Stay curious, stay mindful, and if you happen to find some cherry blossoms that aren’t deep on private property… snap a photo for me. 🌸
