Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree, Natural monument tree in Morioka, Japan.
The Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree is an ancient cherry that grows through a crack in the granite rock beneath the Morioka District Court. Its root system has gradually split and lifted the stone around it, creating a distinctive appearance that speaks to the slow power of growth.
The tree earned its national monument status in 1923, making it one of Japan's officially protected natural sites. A fire swept through the courthouse building in 1932, yet the tree survived and continues to thrive on the same grounds.
Visitors come to witness the blossoms during spring, when the tree draws crowds to the courthouse grounds for hanami season celebrations. The tree embodies Japanese reverence for nature's quiet persistence and strength.
The tree sits on the courthouse grounds and is visible during regular hours when the facility is open to the public. Visit in early April to see the blossoms at their peak, though the tree is worth viewing year-round.
This cherry tree exceeds 360 years in age and stands out among Japan's protected cherry trees for its unusual flowering pattern. Its blossoms appear in two different colors on the same tree, a trait that puzzles botanists and fascinates visitors.
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