"Prof Yasuyuki Aono spent his career gathering data on the spring flowering dates of cherry trees in Japan, revealing that cherry tree flowerings have occurred progressively earlier in recent decades, a now famous marker of climate change."
"Last April, Aono posted a photo to social media of his spreadsheet, having just completed the 2025 entry, recording 4 [April] as the peak flowering date for the mountain cherry, or Prunus jamasakura."
"Following a search launched by Tuna Acisu, a researcher in Japan has stepped forward and offered to make formal observations of the mountain cherry's spring flowerings, consulting the same sources as Prof Aono."
Prof Yasuyuki Aono dedicated his career to tracking cherry blossom flowering dates in Japan, revealing a trend of earlier blooms due to climate change. His meticulous records, dating back to the 9th century, highlighted the impact of rising temperatures on peak blossom days. Aono passed away in August, leaving behind an unfinished record for 2026. Following concerns about the continuity of this important data, a researcher has stepped forward to continue Aono's work, ensuring the preservation of this 1,200-year climate record.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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