Sakura Cherry Tree Project Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 10 December 2025
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 10 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE SAKURA CHERRY TREE PROJECT UPDATE 10th DECEMBER 2025 SAKURA CHERRY TREE PROJECT UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 In April 2024 the Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute contacted the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support to explore the possibility of working in partnership to secure a number of flowering cherry trees, to be planted across Argyll and Bute, through the Sakura Cherry Tree Project. 1.2 The project was established in 2016 in recognition of decades of friendship between the United Kingdom and Japan and to further strengthen relationships between the two countries. Flowering cherry tree saplings are provided to communities free of charge for planting in public spaces where everyone can enjoy them. 1.3 This report provides an update on progress in relation to this partnership project between the Lieutenancy of Argyll and Bute and the Council. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Area Committee: 2.1 Note the contents of this report. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 In April 2024 the Sakura Cherry Tree Project made contact with the Lieutenancy of Argyll and Bute with the offer of free flowering cherry trees to be planted locally. Trees reserved in April 2024 would be available for delivery from November 2025.
Page 2
3.2 The Sakura Cherry Tree Project was established in 2016 in recognition of decades of friendship between the United Kingdom and Japan and to further strengthen relationships between the two countries. Flowering cherry tree saplings are provided for planting in public spaces where everyone can enjoy them. These offers are traditionally made through local Lieutenancies. The project had an initial target of 1,000 trees across the United Kingdom, but this has expanded with 8,000 trees having been planted since its inception. 3.3 The trees are provided completely free of charge, with the only request being that they are planted in easily accessible locations where they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, such as parks, playgrounds, community land, schools or other public spaces. They have an expected life span of around thirty years. 3.4 Upon receipt of the offer, the Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute contacted the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, who is also the Clerk to the Lieutenancy, to explore scope for working in partnership with the council to reserve trees for delivery in November 2025. 3.5 The Executive Director made contact with the Council’s Amenity Services team who agreed that they would be willing to assist in the distribution and planting of the trees following delivery and in line with the specialist guidance provided. 3.6 Subsequently, the Executive Director contacted all Elected Members seeking their views on possible locations for planting trees in their local communities. Ideas had to be submitted in line with the Project’s deadline of 30th April 2024, so that trees could be reserved to meet the November 2025 delivery target. 3.7 A number of Elected Members responded to the request and, after liaising with local residents, provided a range of suggestions where flowering cherry trees could be planted locally for the enjoyment and benefit of the community. The Oban, Lorn and the Isles locations contributed are listed at Appendix 1. These suggestions were passed to the Lord-Lieutenant who made contact with the Sakura Cherry Tree Project to accept the offer on behalf of Argyll and Bute. 3.8 The Lieutenancy has now received word from the Project that trees are due for delivery to premises in Lochgilphead during November. Following receipt of the trees, colleagues in Amenity Services will assist with the distribution and planting of the trees, adhering to the planting guidance provided, over the course of the coming months. Updates will be provided to local Elected Members by email to notify them of upcoming arrangements, when finalised, for their ward.
Page 3
4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides an update for Elected Members on the next stage of Argyll and Bute’s Sakura Cherry Tree Project, following their contributions in terms of possible planting locations and the advice of a delivery timeframe for the trees. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – none known. 5.2 Financial – costs will be met within existing budgets. 5.3 Legal – planting will be carried out in line with any relevant requirements. 5.4 HR – none known. 5.5 Customer Service – none known but the planting project offers an opportunity to secure additional amenities for local communities. 5.6. Risk – risks will be managed through existing and established Amenity Services procedures for activities of this nature. 5.7 Climate Change – none known. 5.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – none known. 5.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – where and if appropriate EqSEIAs will be carried out to identify any implications. 5.10 Consumer Duty – where and if appropriate EqSEIAs will be carried out to identify any implications. 5.11 Islands – where and if appropriate island impacts assessments will be carried out to identify any implications. 5.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – none known. Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, Douglas Hendry 7 th November 2025 For further information contact: Aileen McNicol, Leadership Support and Member Services Manager, telephone 01546 604014 or email aileen.mcnicol@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Page 4
Appendix 1 – Elected Member Contributions – Potential Planting Locations in Oban, Lorn and the Isles Oban, Lorn and the Isles Lochnell Primary School Other schools – Dunbeg, Dalmally Park, Taynuilt, Appin and/or Lismore Primary Schools McCaigs Tower area