Somei-Yoshino: The Cherry Tree That Is Really One Tree

Updated October 24, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

When you picture cherry blossoms in Japan, you are most likely picturing Somei-Yoshino. This is the variety whose pale flowers burst open before any leaves appear, turning streets, riverbanks, and parks into drifts of white and pink. What makes it fascinating is not only its beauty but its biology: according to Wikipedia, Somei-Yoshino is a clone from a single tree. This article explains what that means, where the variety came from, why it blooms in such a dramatic way, and how it connects to the way blossom seasons are tracked.

A Clone From a Single Tree

The Wikipedia article on Somei-Yoshino describes it as "a clone from a single tree" that has been propagated by grafting all over the world. Grafting is a gardening technique in which a piece of one plant is joined to the roots or trunk of another so that it grows as part of the new plant. Each new Somei-Yoshino tree is therefore not a seedling with its own mix of genes but a continuation of the original.

In other words, many of the Somei-Yoshino trees you see in parks and along streets are genetically the same plant, grown in different places.

Where It Came From

The article traces the variety to Edo, as Tokyo was formerly known. It says gardeners and craftsmen of the village of Somei, now part of Komagome in Toshima ward, Tokyo, grew the variety. The name Somei-Yoshino reflects that village origin. If you are interested in the history of the tree, you can read about the area before you travel and check current information from local sources.

Flowers First, Leaves Later

One of the most striking features of Somei-Yoshino is the way it blooms. Wikipedia notes that the flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring. With no green to compete, the blossoms cover bare branches in a dense layer of color. When the petals fall, leaves follow. This sequence explains why a full bloom looks so dramatic: the whole tree appears to be made of flowers.

An Old Tree in Kaiseizan Park

The same article mentions that the oldest surviving Somei-Yoshino in Japan is the one in Kaiseizan Park, planted in 1878. That date gives a sense of the variety's age as a garden plant. A tree that has been blooming each spring since the late nineteenth century has seen many generations of viewers come and go.

How This Relates to the Blossom Forecast

When Japan's weather agency tracks the cherry blossom season, it follows designated sample trees. According to Wikipedia's article on the cherry blossom front, the Yoshino cherry is typically observed, with Higan cherry in the south and Prunus sargentii in the north. The article states that there are fifty-nine sample trees at any one time. The agency defines the opening day as the point at which at least five to six flowers have opened on the sample tree, and the full bloom day as the point at which at least eighty percent of the flowers have opened.

So when a forecast says that the blossoms will open on a certain day in a certain city, it refers to those specific sample trees. A park a few kilometers away may be a little ahead or behind, depending on its microclimate and the trees themselves.

Appreciating the Tree Respectfully

Cherry trees are delicate. Roots near the surface can be damaged by trampling, and branches can break. If you visit a famous spot, you can help by following a few simple habits. These are general courtesies, and local rules always come first.

Stay on paths and designated viewing areas.
Do not climb the trees or pull branches down for photos.
Avoid placing heavy objects or stakes near trunks and roots.
Take your trash with you.
Be patient with crowds and give others space to enjoy the view.

Photographing Somei-Yoshino

Because the blossoms are pale, exposure can be tricky. Bright white petals against a bright sky may lose detail. Photographers often look for a darker background, such as a shaded building, a stone wall, or deep water, to make the flowers stand out. Early morning and evening light can add warmth. A close view of a single cluster can be just as satisfying as a wide shot, and it also lets you notice the delicate structure of each flower.

Naming Dates

Wikipedia says that in 1900, Yorinaga Fujino gave the Yoshino cherry the name Somei-yoshino, and that in 1901 the tree was given the scientific name Prunus yedoensis by Jinzo Matsumura. The page says Somei village, which is in present day Toshima, was a cultivation site. So the name connects a place and a person with a plant.

Parents of the Hybrid

The article says most studies show that Somei-yoshino is a hybrid between the Oshima cherry as the father plant and Edo higan as the mother, and that it is a hybrid born in Japan. It adds that it was born by hybridization over 100 years ago, which the page says is commonly believed. The phrase most studies is a reminder that science continues to refine such conclusions. The page also says the two ancestral species separated 5.52 million years ago.

Old Trees

Wikipedia reports that the oldest verifiable record of a Somei-yoshino being planted dates to 1775 at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden, but it hedges that claim. It says that as of 2019, the Tree Health Research Society, Japan recognized the tree at Kaiseizan Park, planted in 1878, as the oldest surviving Somei-yoshino in Japan, based on radiocarbon dating. The page gives no general lifespan, so we do not state one.

What the Flowers Look Like

According to the page, the flowers have five white or pale pink petals, are fragrant, and measure 3 to 3.5 centimeters in diameter. It repeats that the flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring. If you want to notice the scent, stand close and be gentle, and never pull branches or pick blossoms.

Clones and Their Meaning

The page says Somei-yoshino is a clone from a single tree. That is why many trees can bloom at nearly the same time in a given area. It also means they share the same strengths and weaknesses, so a single disease or weather event can affect many trees. Respect barriers around old trees, since compacted soil can harm roots. Take your picnic waste with you and keep to paths.

Questions People Ask

Is every cherry tree in Japan a Somei-Yoshino? No. Japan has many varieties, and some bloom earlier or later. Wikipedia describes Somei-Yoshino as one of the most popular and widely planted cherry cultivars in temperate regions around the world. The forecast also uses other kinds of trees, such as Higan cherry and Prunus sargentii, in certain regions.

Why do the blossoms last such a short time? A bloom lasting only days is a feature of the variety and the weather. Wind and rain can shorten it. If you are planning a trip, it is wise to allow flexibility in your schedule.

A Short Glossary

A few terms will help you follow conversations about the blossoms.

Sakura: the Japanese word for cherry blossoms and cherry trees.
Clone: a plant that is genetically identical to the original, here propagated by grafting.
Grafting: joining a piece of one plant to another so that it grows as one.
Kaika: the opening day, when at least five to six flowers have opened on the sample tree.
Mankai: full bloom, when at least eighty percent of the flowers have opened.

Having these words in mind makes it easier to read forecasts and news about the season, and it adds a little depth to a simple walk beneath the trees.

Keep Exploring

For a photo-driven view of the season, Tokyo Paul's Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook (Japan Photography Series) is described on Amazon as a collection of cherry blossom photographs at numerous locations, with location names and brief descriptions. See Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook on Amazon