Their environment may explain why cherry blossoms are seen blooming all over the mountains of South Korea. In fact, they happen to grow on the slopes more than at the top of the mountains! These areas may be warmer and the slopes can help them avoid frosty air or settling snow.
Climate change and pollution can, unfortunately, harm the beautiful cherry blossom trees. In South Korea, pollution has been growing continuously worse due to "yellow dust" drifting from China, created by various industries. The dust is harmful to the blossoms because it can block sunlight and make the air much colder. It also harms the trees' roots because the water they get from rain is polluted. Climate change can also confuse the cherry blossoms because the temperature in winter can suddenly get warmer. The cherry blossoms then think that spring has come and they blossom too early. Unfortunately, they later die when the cold returns and kills the flowers. Both of these changes to the environment are very worrisome. Cherry blossoms are fragile flowers and slight changes in the environment can cause them to die and no longer bloom. It would be heartbreaking to watch cherry blossoms disappear as they are so deeply treasured by everyone who sees them.
