Skip to content
elderly couple looking at a cherry tree

Flowering Cherry Tree: A Complete and Complicated History

Losing a loved one is a profound and painful experience, leaving a void that words alone cannot fill. Creating a living memorial with a flowering cherry tree offers a gentle and enduring way to honor their memory. The delicate blossoms, with their brief yet stunning appearance each spring, mirror the fleeting beauty of life and provide a space for reflection and peace. The flowering cherry tree stands as a beacon of hope and renewal in times of grief. Native to Japan, these magnificent trees have endured a long road to the landscapes of North America, captivating millions across the United States.

Sakura Cherry Trees blossoming alley

The planting of cherry trees originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or "Sakura," is an exalted flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a potent symbol equated with the evanescence of human life and epitomizes the transformation of Japanese culture throughout the ages.

1885

In 1885, Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore returned to Washington, D.C., from Japan with a vision. She proposed planting cherry trees along the reclaimed Potomac waterfront, inspired by the beauty she had witnessed abroad. However, her idea was met with resistance and remained dormant for nearly 24 years.

1906

Dr. David Fairchild, an official from the Department of Agriculture, imported 75 flowering cherry trees and 25 weeping cherry trees from Japan to his property in Chevy Chase, Maryland. This initiative aimed to test the trees' hardiness in American soil.

1907-1908

Encouraged by the successful growth of the trees, Dr. Fairchild began promoting Japanese cherry trees as ideal for Washington, D.C. The Chevy Chase Land Company ordered 300 cherry trees for the area. In 1908, Dr. Fairchild distributed cherry saplings to schoolchildren in Washington, spreading awareness and appreciation for these beautiful trees.

1909

Mrs. Scidmore, undeterred by previous setbacks, decided to raise funds to purchase cherry trees for Washington, D.C. She reached out to the First Lady, Helen Herron Taft, who had lived in Japan and understood the significance of cherry blossoms. Mrs. Taft supported the idea, and plans were set in motion.

April 1909

Dr. Jokichi Takamine, a Japanese chemist, and Mr. Midzuno, the Japanese consul in New York, learned of the cherry tree initiative and offered 2,000 additional trees from the City of Tokyo. Mrs. Taft gladly accepted the generous donation.

January 1910

The 2,000 cherry trees arrived in Washington, D.C., but an inspection revealed they were infested with insects and were diseased. President William Howard Taft supported the decision to burn the trees to protect local agriculture.

February 1912

A second donation of 3,020 cherry trees from Tokyo was shipped to Washington, D.C. This batch included twelve varieties, ensuring a diverse and vibrant display.

March 27, 1912

In a ceremonial event, Mrs. Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. This event marked the beginning of Washington's renowned National Cherry Blossom Festival.

1913 -­ 1920

Workmen continued planting Yoshino trees around the Tidal Basin. The cherry trees of the other eleven varieties and the remaining Yoshino trees were planted in East Potomac Park.

1927

Washington school children reenacted the original planting event, commemorating the establishment of the cherry trees as a symbol of friendship between the United States and Japan.

1934-1935

The first official Cherry Blossom Festival was organized, becoming an annual celebration that continues to this day, attracting visitors from around the world.

1941

December 11, four cherry trees were cut down in suspected retaliation for the Japanese attack against the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The exact reason for the vandalism never was substantiated. In hopes of preventing future damage during the Second World War, the trees were referred to as the "Oriental" flowering cherry trees

1952

Japan requested assistance to restore the original cherry tree grove along the Arakawa River, which had declined during World War II. The National Park Service sent budwood from the Washington trees to help rejuvenate the Japanese grove.

1965

The Japanese government gifted another 3,800 Yoshino cherry trees to the United States, further strengthening the bond between the two nations. American-grown this time, many of these are planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Lady Bird Johnson and Mrs. Ryuji Takeuchi, wife of Japan's Ambassador, reenacted the planting ceremony of 1912.

1982

Approximately eight hundred cuttings from the Tidal Basin Yoshino trees were collected by Japanese horticulturists to retain the genetic characteristics of the trees and replace trees destroyed in Japan when the course of a river was changed. Other exchanges and gifts have benefited both cities. Through this cycle of giving, the cherry trees have fulfilled their role as a symbol and an agent of friendship.

1986 to 1988

A total of 676 new cherry trees were planted at a cost of over $101,000 in private funds donated to the National Park Service to restore the number of trees to what they were at the time of the original gift.

1994

The National Cherry Blossom Festival expanded from one week to two weeks, allowing more time for visitors to enjoy the blooming trees and participate in cultural events.

1996

March 27, signing of the Sister River Agreement between the Potomac, which flows through Washington, D.C., and the Arakawa, which originates on scenic Mt. Kobushi in Saitama Prefecture.

1997

June 17, in cooperation with the United States National Arboretum, cuttings were taken from the documented, surviving 1912 Yoshino cherry trees shipment, to ensure preservation of the trees' genetic lineage. These trees will be used in subsequent replacement plantings to preserve the genetic heritage of the grove.

1999

Fifty trees, propagated from the ancient "Usuzumi" cherry tree in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, were planted in West Potomac Park. Over 1,400 years old, this tree symbolizes the deep historical roots and ongoing friendship between Japan and the United States.

2011

To preserve the genetic lineage of the original 1912 cherry trees, the National Park Service collected propagates and sent them back to Japan. Giving back ensured that the cherry trees continued to symbolize friendship and peace.

The history of the flowering cherry tree is a testament to the enduring bond between nations and the universal appreciation for nature's fleeting beauty. Whether planted as a memorial or simply enjoyed for their breathtaking blooms, these trees serve as a poignant reminder of life's precious and fleeting moments.

Flowering Cherry Trees: Plant a Living Memorial

As America’s leading bio urn and planting system, The Living Urn is designed to grow a beautiful, enduring memory tree with cremated remains. Among our fifty tree and shrub offerings from our award-winning nursery, we have several species of flowering cherry trees, including Kwanzan Flowering Cherry and Okame Flowering Cherry. Their elegance and radiance can honor your loved one for generations to come. Visit our store today to see if a flowering cherry tree may be right for your region!

Previous article Memory Tree Planting: Grow a Memory Tree Without a Yard
Next article Handmade Cremation Jewelry: Your Comprehensive Guide