Thanks to the generous donation from the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, cherry trees have found a new home on Central’s campus. Shofuso not only provided the trees but also sent their skilled gardeners to help plant them, laying the groundwork for a future that’s both beautiful and meaningful.
Central’s student-led Gardening Club is now caring for the young trees Our hope is that in the spring Central’s campus is dappled with pale pink cherry blossoms, and our staff and students can create more experience that recognizes Japanese culture.
This gift is part of a long and meaningful history. In 1926, the Japanese government gifted 1,600 flowering trees—including cherry trees—to the City of Philadelphia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence. That spirit of international friendship continues today.
In 1998, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia launched a ten-year, 1,000-tree planting initiative, completed in 2007. Now, beginning in 2023 and with the support of Philadelphia Insurance Companies, an additional 250 trees are being planted to honor America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.
Cherry blossoms hold deep significance in Japanese culture, symbolizing the beauty and impermanence of life. Their brief, brilliant bloom is celebrated in art, literature, and festivals—like Philadelphia’s own Cherry Blossom Festival, which honors the enduring friendship between Japan and our city.
We are proud to have these symbolic trees on Central’s grounds and to be part of a tradition that spans continents and generations.
