Ume

These ume bonsai trees were great grandfather's. They have been in the garden for several decades. Ume or plum trees bloom at the end of January or early February.

There are parks devoted to big ume trees. There used to be a field of ume trees down the street from us. At the Jindai Botanical Gardens, there is a section of ume trees.

People go plum blossom viewing. They don't have parties and picnics under the trees like they do under cherry trees in the spring.

Here are the bonsai trees a few weeks ago. These trees bloom in the dead of winter. It is a precious sight.