Cherry blossom watching is an increasingly popular activity in Taiwan, but some of the country's cherry trees are not faring well against climate change.
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00:00One of Taiwan's chilliest winters in years is coming to an end, and residents are flocking
00:06to the hills around the capital Taipei, soaking up the sunshine and the first signs of spring,
00:12cherry blossoms.
00:13It's like walking in nature. It's relaxing.
00:16It's almost like playing in winter and welcoming spring.
00:22Yangming Mountain is the most famous in Taipei. It's the most beautiful place in Taipei.
00:27These cherry blossom watchers are part of a growing crowd in Taiwan.
00:32In this national park just outside the capital Taipei, thousands of cherry blossom trees
00:37of different varieties flower every year between January and March, Taiwan's coldest months.
00:43It's one of a growing number of cherry blossom sites in the country, attracting hundreds
00:47of thousands of visitors every year.
00:49But not every cherry blossom forest is flowering as successfully as this one.
00:54Many of the trees in Taiwan were planted by the Japanese when they colonized Taiwan
00:58for the first half of the 20th century. But as these imports reach maturity, they are
01:03not doing well, unsuited to Taiwan's hotter and wetter weather.
01:11Tree doctor Jan Fengchun has dedicated decades to nursing Taiwan's ailing cherry trees.
01:24She says climate change is only going to make her job harder.
01:47In a bid to grow more healthy, beautiful trees, people here are turning to new local breeds
01:52better suited to Taiwan's climate.
01:57And one farmer, Zhang Zhoufu, has developed a hybrid of Japan and Taiwan varieties which
02:02thrives in warmer temperatures. He's even exported these plants to tropical Singapore.
02:15Taiwan's enthusiasm for cherry blossoms has come under criticism in the past. Decades
02:19ago people replaced indigenous forests with cherry trees, impacting biodiversity and local
02:25ecosystems.
02:28Tree doctor Jan Fengchun says cherry blossoms should be enjoyed alongside other natural
02:32wonders of the forest.
02:41As the planet warms and climate changes rapidly, Taiwan's natural landscape, like much of
02:46the world, faces an uncertain future. But understanding these trees beyond their aesthetic
02:53value could help them flourish, and allow future generations to bask in their beauty.
02:59Luffy Lee, John Su, Pichi Chuang and Rick Lawert for Taiwan Plus.