Cherry Blossom Land at Branch Brook Park
A Bamberger Fuld Legacy
by
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Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom
The cherry blossom holds a special place in the culture of Japan. As the national flower, cherry blossoms are offered as symbols of peace to countries throughout the world. Annual festivals celebrate the arrival of the first blooms and honor their delicate beauty and short life span. Among the hundreds of varieties, the Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura are the most common. Japanese cherry trees, unlike other cherry trees, do not yield fruit...
First gift to the United States
Japanese cherry trees were brought to the United States as a gift in 1912. Their arrival was the result of a 24 year letter writing campaign to Washington D.C. officials by Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore that began after her first visit to Japan in 1885. Ms. Scidmore proposed the idea of planting cherry trees along the Potamac River. Her suggestion was eventually embraced by U.S. First Lady Helen Herron Taft, in 1909. Mrs. Taft had lived in Japan and had seen the beauty of the cherry blossoms firsthand…
Three rivers run through it
Branch Brook Park today embodies 359 lush acres beginning just north of the University Heights section of Newark. The quarter mile wide park waxes and wanes through four miles of forest and fields, reaching into the Belleville border. Branch Brook Park has been divided into four sections, designated, Southern, Middle, Northern and, as previously discussed, the Extension. Stunning landscapes include architecturally diverse bridges designed for driving, railroad, and leisurely pedestrian strolls over small lakes and gushing streams…
Caroline Bamberger Fuld and the gift of giving
The short-lived Japanese cherry blossoms were introduced to New Jersey in 1927 by Caroline Bamberger Fuld. Her gift laid the foundation for the world famous cherry trees in Branch Brook Park today. Caroline was a truly remarkable woman whose philanthropic partnership with her brother Louis Bamberger, and her second husband Felix Fuld, left an indelible mark on many of Newark's cultural institutions…
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About the Book
Cherry Blossom Land at Branch Brook Park: A Bamberger Fuld Legacy presents the history of the Japanese cherry trees in Newark, New Jersey with spectacular images of the local cherry blossoms photographed by the author. The Japanese cherry trees are surrounded by beautiful Branch Brook Park, the first county park in the United States. Cherry Blossom Land at Branch Brook Park also details the remarkable life of Caroline Bamberger Fuld, who gifted the first cherry trees to Branch Brook Park in 1927. Today, Branch Brook Park embodies 359 lush acres of forest and fields with stunning landscapes. Architecturally diverse bridges span small lakes and gushing streams. Branch Brook Park follows the Japanese tradition of honoring the delicate beauty and short life span of the cherry blossom with annual festivals. Cherry Blossom Land at Branch Brook Park provides a “how to” approach for the identification of cherry trees in the park. It also encourages “hanami”, the delightful pastime of cherry blossom viewing first practiced by 7th century Japanese aristocrats. Branch Brook Park is listed in both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
Book review:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially learning about the Bamberger/Fuld Family which put the history of the Cherry Blossoms into a helpful timeline. It will be a great read for anyone interested in finding out how Branch Brook Park's collection of Cherry Blossoms exceeds Washington DC's! The short history perfectly describes the making of Cherry Blossom Land and I'm sure others will find this book very informative. The descriptions of the Cherry Blossoms themselves will be quite helpful to the amateur horticulturist!"
Robin Dougherty, Executive Director
Greater Newark Conservancy
About the Author
Christine Baker is a clinical psychologist who loves to travel and capture the beauty of the world with her digital camera. She also writes short stories. While far off places provide great sights to photograph, Dr. Baker is always content to visit local attractions like the Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to training pediatric residents at the New Jersey Medical School at the Newark campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. Baker is the Director of the Family Life Education Center (FLEC) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She lives with her husband and two sons in South Orange, New Jersey where a Japanese cherry tree blooms on their front lawn.