Very sad to hear that all the plum trees in Ome, Tokyo’s Yoshino Baigo will be cut down in an attempt to stop the spread of the plum pox virus. The virus has infected the trees since 2009. They’ve been cutting down the infected trees and surrounding trees every year since then. However, even after destroying hundreds of plum trees, the virus has not been eradicated. After this year’s plum blossom festival ends on March 31, 2014, they will cut down all the trees.
We won’t see another plum blossom festival in Ome for at least several years until they replant. Now is the time to see it if you can. More photos here.
