If you’re a local native or have ever set foot in Washington DC in the Spring, then you’ve seen a cherry blossom tree and probably posted about it on Instagram. You may have even walked along the Tidal Basin during an annual Cherry Blossom Festival. But what most people and even locals don’t know is that the cherry blossom trees we all love are not part of the areas-native flora and fauna. That’s right! The tree that is very much synonymous with our nation’s capital is originally from about 6776.8 miles away; in Japan.
The history of the cherry trees starts way back in 1885 with Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, a world traveler and diplomat. On a return trip from Japan, she petitioned the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds (now called Public Building Services) to plant the Japanese cherry trees along the Potomac waterfront. Unfortunately, her request was not granted. At least not for another 24 years when, with the help of First Lady Helen Taft, the first cherry trees were planted along the Potomac River and south, beyond the Lincoln Memorial. But, before getting to the famous Cherry Blossom Festival we know today, the story of the cherry trees had its ups and downs, including a bug infestation, which resulted in the trees being burned to protect local farmers.
The trees were re-planted a few years later in the Spring of 1912 during a ceremony hosted by First Lady Taft and the wife of the Japanese Ambassador. A total of 3,020 trees were delivered with twelve varieties including somei-yoshino which make up the majority of trees you’ll see near the tidal basin. In return as a show of gratitude, U.S. President Taft gifted flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. In 1935 the first Cherry Blossom Festival was sponsored and sparked the annual 3-week celebration.
In Japan, the trees represent life and the beginning of spring, at the same time, their short bloom represents the transient nature of life. Today, we celebrate the trees as a commemoration of the United States’ friendship with Japan. Each year, thousands of locals and tourists pour into Washington DC to participate in the yearly Festival activities and enjoy the trees. This year, you can celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with activities like a parade and kite festival. Events extend through Apr 14, 2024. Check out all of the planned activities at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
