Millions enjoy the Japanese cherry blossom trees of Washington D.C. when they bloom in spectacular fashion every spring along West and East Potomac parks. The significance of these trees extends far beyond their ethereal appearance.
In 1909, the people of Japan donated 2,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees to the United States as a symbol of friendship. Following the discovery of pests and disease in the plant stock, most of this initial gift was destroyed to protect native species. Tokyo mayor Yushio Ozaki presented a second gift of 3,020 Japanese cherry blossom trees to the U.S. in 1912. The first of these, two Yoshino cherry blossom trees (Prunus yedoensis), were planted on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park on March 27, 1912 by First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of Japanese ambassador. These two trees still survive near the John Paul Jones Memorial.
In 1965, the Japanese government donated another 3,800 Yoshino cherry blossom trees. First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson and Mrs. Ryuji Takeuchi, wife of the Japanese ambassador, reenacted the original 1912 ceremonial planting near the Washington Monument. Stock from the original cherry trees has been propagated, housed in botanical research facilities, and shared with Japan many times over the decades.
Japanese cherry blossom trees continue to serve as symbols of friendship and diplomacy between Japan and the U.S that are integral to of the natural and cultural landscape of Washington D.C.
Specimens in the National Mall and Memorial Parks include Sargent (Prunus sargentii), Kwanzan (Prunus serrulate), Shiro-Fugen (Prunus serrulate), Weeping Higan (Prunus subhirtella), and Korean (Prunus takesimensis) cherry specimens that were collected between 1992 and 1993. Of these, Kwanzan, which features clusters of large, double deep pink blooms backed by bronze-red new growth, is the sole species cultivar from those gifted by Japan in 1912.
