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Washington Singer cherry orchard
The views and vistas into and from the landscape around the original buildings on campus have always been a notable feature of the relationship between the built and natural environment.
The lawns at the front of Washington Singer are one of the first features of the Streatham campus, as you arrive from New North Road/Prince of Wales Road.
The land rises from the valley created by the Taddiforde Brook, to the man-made banking at the front of Washington Singer.
Matching the early flowering Prunus species on both sides of the Taddiforde/Hoopern Valley, the first formal planting of cherry trees was undertaken on the formal lawns in 1976, in memory of Professor Porter and Dr Hewitt.
The planting was well received and during the 1980s and 90s it remained a popular location for donated trees, with a significant collection of cherry trees being developed including several donated by the Knight family and the International Tree Federation (ITF), amongst others.
The Sakura Cherry Tree Project generously donated thirty cherry trees to the University in 2026, which were planted in the cherry orchard on 19 March 2026 by volunteers as part of a community tree planting event. The was launched in 2017 by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the British Prime Minister Theresa May. The project had an initial aim to plant 1,000 cherry trees in the UK to symbolise 150 years of friendship and co-operation between Japan and the UK. The target has been surpassed and 7,700 trees have now been planted, with hopes of reaching 10,000!
The variety donated, Prunus serrulata ‘Tai Haku’ (Great White Cherry), had become extinct in Japan but has been reintroduced from the UK. These beautiful trees will provide a wonderful display of blossom in Spring, celebrating the changing seasons and representing the fragility and transience of beauty in nature.
Current species on the cherry orchard represent the majority of habitats, colours and flowering types of the cherry family, these include:
- Prunus amanogowa
- P. kanzan
- P. tai haku
- P. x subhirtella
- P. x yedoensis
- P. ukon
- P. umineko
An impressive Spring display, complimented by naturalised bulbs on the banking, ensure students, staff and visitors receive a colourful, early welcome to the campus.