Preserving a Living Memorial: New Trees for Bowral’s Cherry Tree Walk

Published on 01 August 2024

Bowral’s cherished Cherry Tree Walk is receiving the vital care it needs, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Tree Management Team and the Mittagong Vietnam Veterans Association.

On Thursday, 1 August, an additional 30 Cherry Trees were planted as part of an ongoing initiative to replace the ailing trees that form this important memorial. This year’s planting was timed to honour Vietnam Veterans Day on Sunday, 18 August 2024.

Originally planted in 2000, each stunning Tai-Haku Japanese Cherry Blossom tree along the walk was intended as a living memorial to comfort the families of local veterans and honour our community members who served their country.

Over the years, some trees showed signs of being affected by phytophthora, or root rot. As of March 2024, 84 trees were sadly counted as dead or severely declining resulting in the need for their removal.

Last year, Council initiated an ambitious tree replacement project with offsite propagation to ensure the new trees are healthy before planting. It was discovered that the specific variety, Prunus serrulata, is no longer available from nurseries. As a result, branch cuttings from the original trees were grafted onto rot-resistant rootstock. These new, disease-resistant species offer a promising future for Cherry Tree Walk.

This week’s effort follows the initial phase of tree replacements that began in the winter of 2023, during which four trees were planted. Over a five-year period, a total of 90 new trees are scheduled to be planted, marking a significant commitment to preserving this significant memorial.

This revitalisation effort not only restores the walkway's beauty but also honours the memory of Vietnam War service personnel.

You can keep up to date with this project by following this page on our website: Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk | Wingecarribee Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)