New Life for an Old Wisteria

Each season has its own distinctive flowers, and in Japan early May sees the wisteria blossom. Many people travel at that time to see fine examples of wisteria, a spreading vine that can be arranged over a trellis to create magnificent cascades. We visit Japan’s most famous wisteria, a giant old tree transplanted 20 years ago from its previous site to allow continued growth. It was thought too big and old to transplant until one tree surgeon discovered how to safely move the huge trunk. Following her as she works to rescue trees, we’ll get a glimpse of Japanese traditions of respect for the natural world.