CINCINNATI -- If you love the beauty of cherry trees in our nation's capitol, you'll soon see a miniature collection in downtown Cincinnati.
By next week, 16 new Yoshino cherry trees will be planted in the plaza surrounding City Hall. Workers had to remove the plaza's purple leaf plums and Bradford pears last summer; the old trees were considered a hazard when they were damaged in a windstorm (and, frankly, they were getting sort of scraggly anyway).
Trees surrounding Cincinnati City Hall were cut down last summer after a windstorm. (Photo courtesy City of Cincinnati)
Yoshino cherry trees are one of the most common types planted around the District of Columbia, and they're showcased during the National Cherry Blossom Festival held every spring.
Cincinnati Parks' Urban Forestry division picked Yoshino cherry trees because they'll grow well in our region; their lifespan is more than 20 years, according to a memo from City Manager Harry Black.
The tree also has ties to Cincinnati's sister cities Gifu, Japan and New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Concrete work started last week on the Plum Street and Central Avenue sides of the building, and workers are prepping the soil this week.
Tree grates won't go in until next spring.
