Katsuo Kubo, master landscape gardener from Japan, moves a root ball of a Yoshino cherry tree into its new home. Watching is Jim Bier, donor/caretaker of Japan House garden. Watering the newly planted trees is Arboretum grounds employee Kurt Nofftz. The trees are a gift from Genshitsu Sen, former grandmaster of Japan’s Urasenke Tradition of Tea. The tea school dispatched gardener Kubo to the UI campus this week to oversee the planting. Fifty trees are being planted - 30 along the sides of the walkway leading to the building entrance. The remainder will take root throughout the property. The idea to add cherry trees to the Japan House landscape evolved during a garden tour and informal conversation between Sen and Japan House director Kimiko Gunji when Sen visited the campus to receive an honorary degree last May.
photo by L. Brian Stauffer