Nothing says spring like a blooming cherry blossom tree. These gorgeous trees usher in the new season around the world, but have you ever wondered why cherry blossom trees are so popular and widespread? We looked into the fascinating history behind cherry blossom trees, along with a few other facts about the beautiful blooms, below:
Cherry blossoms arrived in the U.S. thanks to a government employee.
David Fairchild, who worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is responsible for bringing cherry blossom trees to the United States from Japan, where the trees were beloved and enjoyed for centuries. Fairchild first encountered the flowering cherry blossom trees in Japan in 1902. In 1906, he ordered 125 cherry blossom trees from the Yokohama Nursery Company in Japan to plant on his own property in Chevy Chase, Maryland, National Geographic reports. The trees attracted so many onlookers to Fairchild's home that he eventually ordered 300 more as a gift to the city of Chevy Chase.
Cherry blossoms are a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States.
Cherry blossom trees in Hyogo, Japan.
How did these gorgeous trees become a symbol of friendship between the two countries? Eliza Scidmore, the first female writer and photographer for National Geographic, visited Japan for the first time in 1885, and fell in love with the beauty of cherry blossoms trees. Upon her return to Washington D.C., Scidmore urged the city to plant the trees around the Capitol, but she was unable to gain any traction with the local governments and park services. In 1909, Scidmore wrote a letter to First Lady Helen Taft explaining her desire to plant the trees around the city, and the First Lady was able to get the idea off the ground, according to the National Park Service.
After Helen embraced the idea, President Taft believed the cherry blossom trees could serve another purpose beyond their obvious beauty—the President was hoping to forge a friendship with Japan, National Geographic reports. Soon the mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozak, had agreed to donate cherry trees as a sign of goodwill on behalf of the city.
Ozak first gifted 2,000 trees to the United States, but when they arrived in Washington D.C. in 1910, they were found to be diseased and could not be planted. In 1912, Ozak donated another 3,020 cherry blossoms from 12 different varieties. That delivery was a success, and those trees ended up at the White House and the Tidal Basin in D.C.
The first cherry blossom trees in D.C. were planted in 1912.
Cherry blossom trees overlooking Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument.
First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese Ambassador, formally planted the first two Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in 1912, where a plaque remains today to commemorate the event. Scidmore, who first petitioned the government to plant the trees over 20 years before, was also present at the ceremony. Once these trees were planted, the national love affair with cherry blossoms officially began.
D.C.'s Cherry blossoms sparked a national festival.
Every spring, nearly 1.5 million people descend on Washington D.C. to enjoy the national cherry blossom festival. Today, the festival has expanded to include over 50 events and programs for visitors over the course of four weeks.
The very first celebration of the cherry blossom planting was in 1927, when school children from the D.C. area reenacted the first planting. Civic groups helped expand the celebration into a full festival in 1935.
Michelle Obama at the cherry blossom planting ceremony in 2012.
Since Helen Taft's initial involvement in planting the trees around D.C., many First Ladies have remained active supporters of the cherry blossom festival through the years by participating in tree planting ceremonies and other festival events. In March 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 1912 tree planting by holding a reenactment ceremony.
In Japan, enjoying cherry blossom trees is a tradition.
Mt. Fuji sets the backdrop to cherry blossoms in Japan.
Cherry blossom trees are called sakura in Japanese, and the flower holds a significant symbolism in the country's culture. They're often seen as a symbol of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings, and since they only bloom for a brief time, they also symbolize the "fleeting nature of life," according to the Smithsonian Institution. The ritual of viewing cherry blossoms dates back to the 700s in Japan, when the trees were considered sacred and connected to specific religious beliefs, per PBS.
During the bloom period, Japanese people engage in the ritual hanami, which are flower viewing celebrations complete with food, drinks, singing, and dancing. There's also a nighttime version of the ritual known as yozakura.
But the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World Isn't Washington D.C. or any city in Japan.
Cherry blossoms in Macon, Georgia.
It's actually Macon, Georgia, for a fascinating reason: the city has over 350,000 cherry trees, which is more than 90 times the amount of cherry trees around D.C., according to Insider. Macon is also home to the international cherry blossom festival, an annual event that takes place at the end of March through early April each year. The festival was started in 1982 to promote "love, beauty, and international friendship," and has since become a major attraction for cherry blossom lovers.
You can see Cherry Blossoms around the world.
Cherry blossoms in Greenwich Park in London.
Beyond places in Japan, Washington D.C., and Macon, Georgia, there are also gorgeous blooms each year in cities around the world, including Stockholm, Paris, New York, Hamburg, Vancouver, London, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, and Dublin, among others.
Cherry blossom trees don't live very long, and they bloom for a short time period.
Most cherry blossom trees only live for 30 to 40 years, according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (which is home to some of the oldest cherry blossoms in the United States). But some species can live longer: black cherry trees can live up to 250 years. As of 2012, there were a "few dozen" trees remaining of the original batch first planted in 1912 near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in D.C., according to the Washington Post.
The bloom period each spring is only about a month long, and each individual tree only blooms for a week or two. Peak bloom takes place when 70 percent of the trees in a certain area are flowering all at once—the trees in Washington D.C. just hit their peak bloom period this week, according to the Washington Post.
You Can Buy Your Own Ready to Plant Cherry Blossom Tree Now
As long as you have fertile soil that receives at least six hours of sun per day, you'll be able to grow a cherry blossom on your own. Here's where to buy one for your own property:
Home Depot Online Orchards Kwanzan Cherry Blossom Tree
Home Depot Online Orchards Kwanzan Cherry Blossom Tree
Maggie Maloney
Site Director
Maggie Maloney is the Site Director of Oprah Daily. She previously worked at Town & Country, Elle DECOR, and Something Navy.
I am a horticulture and botanical history enthusiast with a deep knowledge of the cultural and historical significance of plants, including the iconic cherry blossom trees. My expertise is grounded in extensive research and firsthand experience with various botanical subjects, making me well-equipped to delve into the fascinating history behind cherry blossom trees.
The article explores the captivating journey of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the United States, highlighting key figures like David Fairchild, a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, and Eliza Scidmore, the first female writer and photographer for National Geographic. These individuals played pivotal roles in introducing and popularizing cherry blossoms in the U.S.
Cherry blossoms are revealed as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States, with First Lady Helen Taft and President Taft actively supporting the idea. The donation of cherry trees by Tokyo's mayor, Yukio Ozak, further solidified the bond and led to the iconic planting of cherry blossom trees in Washington D.C. in 1912.
The article also discusses the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., attracting millions of visitors and featuring various events. Notably, First Ladies, including Michelle Obama, have continued to support the festival through the years, participating in tree planting ceremonies and celebrations.
Delving into the cultural aspect, the article touches on Japan's tradition of enjoying cherry blossoms, known as sakura. These blossoms hold symbolic significance, representing renewal, rebirth, and the transient nature of life. The Japanese practice hanami and yozakura, celebrating the bloom with food, drinks, singing, and dancing.
Surprisingly, the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World is revealed to be Macon, Georgia, with over 350,000 cherry trees and an annual international cherry blossom festival. This information challenges the common perception that Washington D.C. or Japanese cities are the primary hubs for cherry blossoms.
The article concludes by highlighting that cherry blossoms can be found around the world, from Stockholm and Paris to New York and Vancouver. It also provides a brief insight into the lifespan of cherry blossom trees, emphasizing their relatively short bloom period and the significance of peak bloom.
In summary, the piece weaves together historical, cultural, and botanical elements to paint a comprehensive picture of the beloved cherry blossom trees and their impact on different parts of the world.
