Japan is giving Washington 250 new cherry trees to replace those to be lost in construction work
Japan is giving Washington 250 new cherry trees to replace those to be lost in construction work
Japan is giving the U.S. 250 new cherry trees to help replace the hundreds that will be ripped out this summer as construction crews work to repair the crumbling seawall around the capital Tidal Basin.
Japan is giving the United States 250 new cherry trees to help replace the hundreds that are being ripped out this summer as construction crews work to repair the crumbling seawall around the capital’s Tidal Basin.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made the announcement as President Joe Biden welcomed him to the White House on Wednesday for an official visit and state dinner. Biden said the gift is meant to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026, adding, “Like our friendship, these trees are timeless, inspiring and thriving.”
In 1912, first lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States, planted two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River’s Tidal Basin. They were part of the 3,000 such trees Japan gave the U.S. in a symbol of the two countries’ friendship.
thanks, japan!
Thank you Japan!
It looks like whoever (or whatever) wrote this article, doesn't know that cherry trees and cherry blossoms are two different trees and sort of keeps mixing them throughout the article. I had a feeling that's about what was going on, just based on the title.
cherry trees and cherry blossoms are two different trees
Do you mean "ornamental" cherry trees and "fruiting" cherry trees? A "cherry blossom" (or "sakura") refers to the flower of a cherry tree, usually of the "ornamental" variety. The article seemed fine to me.
Walking through groves of Sakura, especially when the pedals are falling in the breeze, is a surreal experience. I never get tired of it.
That's pretty cash money of you, Japan.
Love how AP journalists say "Washington" instead of "Washington D.C.", as if the state of Washington doesn't exist.
Even the AP Stylebook recommends just using "Washington" to describe the Capitol because of its "Global recognition", but as one of the 7.8 million Washingtonians who don't live in D.C. on the other side of the country, I absolutely find this shit confusing.
Especially since Seattle's cherry blossom festival starts today, so it would be the right timing for someone to gift us cherry trees if they were going to.
FYI since you're into this kind of thing, 'the Capitol' refers to the US Capitol building.
'The Capital' means DC, the capital city in this case.
Hope you get some fresh Japanese Sakura. They are amazing.
Why couldn’t they also transplant and save the old trees?
Edit: ok I believe you guys, was just hopeful and curious
As the other commenter already said, it is really hard to transplant old trees. Think about how big tree roots get. There is no way to save 100% of a planted tree's roots so cuts have to be made. And by the time you are able to free the tree from the ground, you've often cut too much of its roots for it to survive.
That plus they also have comparatively shorter lifespans.
Trees have a life span and they were getting old already.
If you're in SF, there's a map of every tree, so you can check out the blooms if you're in town!
That's awesome! That actually sounds like an app Peter / Miles would have in the new Spider-man games for a side quest... to take pictures of each bloom or something.
Damnit. If I didn't read this just now after dragging my kid on 10 miles of hikes (with his Spidey water bottle!) the last few days, you'd have just given me a plan for today! 😁
But yeah... 100% doing that this weekend in his Spidey gear.
They really want that U.S Steel deal
Or they are just doing something cool.
Can they give us health care instead?
This is a temporary solution to a climate change problem. They can't keep building seawalls. The Potomac will flood and the brackish water will kill many of the famed cherry trees.
It seems that stretch of the Potomac doesn't get much if any salt. It's way up there and flows rather well, typically.
The tidal influence ends effectively at chain bridge, but they don't call it the Tidal Basin for nothing, presumably.
Not to say salt couldn't happen if there is a sustained drought + more sea level rise + a strong wind from the SE (Yes, that's a big influence on the tidal fluctuation in the Chesapeake!)
Fun fact, sakura trees typically live to 20-40yo, and the DC Japanese Grove is more than 150yo now. They must be well cared for, or something else is going on.