“On Cherries” public talk by Ron Henderson hosted by the Arts Club of Chicago (Copy)

With cherry blossom season in full bloom (especially in Chicago’s Jackson Park), landscape architect Ron Henderson discusses the history and cultural context for these gorgeous and uncanny plants. Henderson followed blossoming cherry trees in Japan, recording his experience in folding sketchbooks.

His work celebrates cherry blossom culture in Japan, highlighting his pilgrimages to venerable trees - several of which are over 1,000 years old, and documents horticultural practices that extend the lives of cherry trees in Japan, such as pruning techniques, branch crutches, rope tenting, and root grafting. Learn about the lives of these trees through Henderson’s richly narrative creative storytelling.