Keele University Expands Its World Famous Cherry Tree Collection

Keele University’s world famous cherry tree collection, which received a prestigious award from the Japanese Ambassador to the UK earlier this year, is set to grow once again.

The campus is already home to more than 460 flowering cherry trees, representing an impressive 240 varieties, all freely accessible for visitors who enjoy exploring the grounds. Now the collection is entering a new phase of growth, with work under way to plant additional trees around the modern Science and Innovation Park and the University’s main entrance. The ambition is for Keele to hold the largest collection of flowering cherries in the UK within the next few years.

Dr Sarah Taylor, a lecturer in ecology at Keele, has joined the volunteer team that cares for the collection, taking on the role of curator. A generous donation from Keele alumnus Professor Philip Davies will also support this work, funding a 75 hour student placement and new signage at the campus entrance to celebrate the collection.

Dr Taylor said:

“There are exciting developments on the horizon. We want to make the cherry collection bigger, better and more joined up, including expansion to the Science and Innovation Park. Our goal is for it to become officially the largest collection in the UK.

“For the first time, we’ve been able to offer a cherry-tree assistant work placement, funded by alumnus Professor Philip Davies. A Keele student will photograph the blossoms to create 360-degree views of the trees in bloom and develop digital integration, enabling the blossom to be enjoyed year-round on a smartphone. This forms part of an ambitious project to create a virtual blossom journey for those who may not be able to experience the trees in person during the spring.

“It is a great honour to take on the role of curator of the much cherished and celebrated cherry collection. Trees are my life work, but I have much to learn about cherry cultivars and I am undertaking an ‘apprenticeship’ with my much-esteemed predecessor, Peter Thomas.”

This week, three new trees were planted near the main entrance. Among them is Prunus Sumaura Fugenzo, also known as Japanese Lantern, a flowering cherry variety that has not previously been grown on the campus. Known for its fragrant, bee attracting blossoms, it produces densely double frilled flowers that shift from white to pink and green, deepening as they mature. The new trees will offer visitors an eye catching and colourful welcome on arrival.

University Vice Chancellor, Professor Kevin Shakesheff, said:

“One of the defining features of our university is its expansive, green parkland campus, and the cherry trees are undoubtedly one of its greatest highlights. A tremendous amount of work happens behind the scenes by a passionate team of volunteers who not only maintain the collection but also help it continue to grow, and I’m extremely grateful for their dedication. We want our campus to be a place that can be enjoyed by students, staff, and the wider public, and these new trees will only enhance that experience.”

In April, Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s Ambassador to the UK, visited the University to present Keele with a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of its flowering cherry collection.

Flowering cherries have been part of Keele’s landscape since the 1940s, when the first ornamental grounds were laid out. Many more have been added across the 600 acre site since then, and springtime at Keele has become synonymous with the sight of cherry blossom drifting through the parkland.