WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s spring in the nation’s capital as Washington D.C. witnessed peak bloom this week for thousands of cherry trees scattered across the capital.
The National Park Service says peak bloom of the cherry trees is Washington’s oldest and grandest springtime tradition.
Officials say peak bloom typically attracts over one-million visitors to D.C. each year. Visitors were also able to see some new blossoms this year — thanks to a special 250th birthday gift from Japan. The gift honors a more than century-old tradition between the two countries.
“It dates back to 1912 — a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the people of Tokyo to the American people. That gift has been supplemented over the years and America’s reciprocated gifts back to the Japanese,” said Mike Litterst, chief of communications for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “But this year, for the 250 year anniversary of America, the Japanese gave us 250 additional cherry trees. We’ve put a number of those around the Tidal Basin already. There are 50 more that came from Japan. They’re in quarantine. They’ll be ready next spring. But, visitors coming out will see a number of new cherry trees, many of them from the people of Japan.”
About 140 cherry trees had to be removed two-years ago to make way for a multi-year project to reconstruct the seawalls near the Tidal Basin. That project is expected to be completed soon — ahead of schedule and under budget.
“We are finishing up the rehabilitation of the Tidal Basin Sea wall, a $113 million project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, coming in about eight months ahead of schedule, about $30 million under budget,” Litterst said.
