Cherry Trees Protected for Winter

Denver, October 10th, 1993

As part of their ongoing project to plant and care for hundreds of cherry trees around the Denver Ikeda Culture Center and along the banks of nearby Cherry Creek, several members of the Rocky Mountain Joint Territory gathered at the culture center today to wrap the younger, less well-established trees for the winter.

Ron Gordon, who oversees the project, showed members the proper wrapping technique to protect the young trees from excess moisture as well as from the drying effects of the wind and sun. “It’s extremely important to wind the paper tape at an angle from the bottom upward to the first branching, “Mr. Gordon said. “That way, moisture won’t become trapped in the folds and freeze.”

Wrapping also allows the saplings to retain heat and protect the new layer of winter insulation they grow each fall. The trees will remain in a dormant state through winter to early spring- March or April- When the growing season begins again.

Horticulturist and forester Craig Miller, who has been involved with the project for more than two years, noted that the project’s Somei Yoshino cherry trees, a variety not common in the Denver area, had done well in spite of last year’s big freeze that killed many less resilient trees and plants.

Rick Dannelly, Tom Ivan, Larry Fitzsimons and the father-son team of Bill and Kuzatei Solomon wrapped nearly 100 trees throughout the Denver area, ranging from Berkeley Park in northwest Denver to Garland Park in the southeast, and all along Speer Boulevard from Downing to Confluence Park.

Rocky Mountain Joint Territory chief Brian Matsuo has likened caring for the trees to taking care of members and helping them get established in their practice. “Both require lots of attention and individual care, “he said. Additionally, the trees, which are known as “Ikeda trees” because they symbolize harmony, peace and hope for the future, are an “activity that lays groundwork for President Ikeda’s forthcoming trip to Denver in 1994,” according to Ron Gordon. “That’s what really drew me to the project and why I stay involved.”

World Tribune article by Larry Fitzsimons and Diana DeLisle