In DC, Even the Plants are Political

The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC is a world famous event, attracting visitors from around the country and the world to see a parade, fireworks, art exhibits, kite flying and, of course, the spectacular blossoms. The Japanese cherry trees were sent to the United States by the city of Tokyo as a sign of friendship and have amazed visitors each spring for over 100 years. 

Photo: Hilary Grabowska

Initially, trees were sent to Washington in 1909 but that shipment was infected by bugs, prompting President William Howard Taft to order them burned to protect other trees and plants in the city. The Secretary of State sent an apology to the Ambassador of Japan for burning the trees in order to protect diplomatic relations between the two nations. More trees were sent in 1912 and on March 27th, First Lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador, Viscountess Chinda, planted the first trees in a small, private ceremony without any photographers. 

Photo: fhwa.dot.gov (Lady Bird Johnson planted a cherry tree on the Tidal Basin in 1965)

The trees became so beloved in DC that when the Tidal Basin was selected as the location for the Jefferson Memorial in 1938, many people voiced their displeasure. Some women actually chained themselves to the trees to ensure that they would not be cut down. President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a statement in which he said the trees were only being transplanted and if the women did not unchain themselves, they too would be relocated along with the trees. 

Photo: nps.gov

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans did not view the trees as favorably and some were even cut down in suspected retaliation for the unprovoked attack by the Empire of Japan, though the motive was never confirmed. In order to protect the rest of the trees, they were referred to as "Oriental" cherry trees rather than Japanese cherry trees. 

Photo: smithsonianmag.com (One of the four trees that had been chopped down)

The first Cherry Blossom Festival was held in 1927 and was expanded in 1935. Today, the festival occurs over five weekends and over a million people flock to the Washington Mall and Tidal Basin to see the trees as well as participate in festival activities. While the festival is a wonderful way for the Nation's Capital to celebrate spring, the sheer number of people attending puts a strain on the National Mall, which is a National Park, as well as on the trees (many people seem unable to resist climbing the trees, which damages the fragile branches). Visitors are reminded that as lovely as they are, the trees were also a diplomatic gift from another nation, that they represent friendship with Japan and are meant to be shared by all. 

Photo: Hilary Grabowska