The cherry trees which draw tens of thousands of visitors to the Amsterdamse Bos each spring are nearing the end of their lifespan and will be replaced in 2028, the city council says.

Around 400 trees will be felled and replanted with new ornamental cherries in time for the 2029 blossom season, officials say. Twelve trees are already in such poor health that they will be removed sooner.

The park was created in 2000 when Japan Women’s Club donated 400 ten-year-old cherry trees as a symbol of the long links between Japan and the Netherlands.

In ideal conditions, Japanese cherry trees can live for 40 to 50 years, but heavy footfall has compacted the clay and peat soil, reducing water and oxygen levels.

Attempts to revive the soil, including injecting air into the ground and adding worms and fungi, have failed to restore tree health. As a result, the city has decided that full replacement is now unavoidable.

The new trees will be planted further apart to allow more space for blossom, and parts of the park will be redesigned to better accommodate visitors.