Cherry Blossom Trees: 10 Facts About Spring’s Show
Quick Reference: Cherry Blossom Trees
- What they are: flowering cherry trees, known as Sakura in Japan, prized for short-lived spring blooms rather than fruit.
- When they bloom: one to two weeks each spring. “Peak” is when 70 percent of the blooms open, with April 4 the mean peak date in Washington, D.C.
- Where to see them: Washington, D.C., draws over 1.5 million visitors a year, and Macon, Georgia, is called the cherry blossom capital of the world with more than 350,000 Yoshino trees.
- The famous gift: Japan gave the United States cherry blossom trees in 1912 after a first 1910 shipment of 2,000 trees was destroyed over pests.
- Do not pick them: snapping blossoms off in D.C. is treated as vandalism of federal property and can bring fines or jail.
Few sights say spring quite like cherry blossom trees in full bloom, the pale pink and white clouds that line a path one week and drift to the ground the next. Revered for thousands of years in Japan, these fragrant flowering trees remind us to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us before it passes. Here are 10 cherry blossom facts you may not know about these short-lived blooms of spring, from a gift between nations to a tree built entirely of LEGO.
10 Cherry Blossom Tree Facts Worth Knowing
1. A gift of 2,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees was destroyed because of bugs.
In January 1910, a gift of 2,000 cherry trees to the United States from the City of Tokyo was set to be planted in the nation’s capital. An inspection by the Department of Agriculture found the trees infested with insects and disease, so officials recommended they be destroyed.
President Taft gave his consent and the trees were burned. Luckily, a second gift of over 3,000 trees was made by March of that year, and those healthy trees were the ones planted in 1912. The National Park Service, which cares for the trees today, keeps a full history on its cherry blossom page.
2. The first cherry blossom trees imported to the US were planted in Maryland.
Dr. David Fairchild, an official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, purchased 75 flowering cherry trees in 1906 from a nursery in Japan. He planted them on his own property in Chevy Chase, Maryland, to test their hardiness before anyone tried planting them on a grand scale in the capital.
3. Cherry blossom trees are a symbol of spring and renewal.
The Japanese have long celebrated cherry blossoms, known as Sakura, as a symbol of renewal and of the beauty and brevity of life. During the short blooming season, people in Japan gather outdoors for parties with family and friends. This custom, Hanami, means “watching blossoms.” The blooms also mark spring, the same turning of the year the Almanac tracks with the spring equinox.
4. The cherry blossom capital of the world is Macon, Georgia.
With more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, Macon, Georgia, hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival each spring.
Macon is far from the only place worth the drive. Cities across the country put on their own displays, and some viewing areas even let you stay in the car and roll through. You can also watch the Washington, D.C., blooms from your couch on the BloomCam when peak week arrives.
5. The time to enjoy cherry blossoms does not last long.
Cherry blossoms typically last from one to two weeks. “Peak” is defined as the point when 70 percent of the blooms are open, but it varies each year, with April 4 the mean date in Washington, D.C. Good thing there is a cherry blossom forecast. Before you plan a trip to D.C., be sure to get the bloom status and latest updates.
6. Over 1.5 million people visit Washington, D.C., every year to see cherry blossom trees.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., is the largest springtime celebration in the United States, and it draws over 1.5 million visitors each year. The crowds peak when the trees do, which is why so many folks watch the bloom forecast before booking a hotel.
When Do Cherry Blossom Trees Bloom by Region?
Bloom time shifts with the weather, so the calendar date moves from one part of the country to the next. Warm Southern springs push the blossoms open weeks ahead of cooler Northern ones. Use the windows below as a starting point, then check a local bloom forecast in the days before you travel, since a warm snap or a late frost can move the dates either way.
| US Region | Typical Cherry Blossom Bloom Window |
|---|---|
| Southeast & South Central | Mid to late March, with Macon, Georgia, often peaking around mid March |
| Mid-Atlantic (Washington, D.C.) | Late March into early April, with April 4 the mean peak date |
| Northeast & New England | Mid to late April as the air warms |
| Great Lakes & Midwest | Late April into early May |
| Pacific Northwest | Late March into April, depending on the spring |
7. You can get arrested for picking cherry blossoms in D.C.
Snapping off blossoms is considered an act of vandalism of federal property, and it carries steep fines and even a trip to jail. Resist the urge to grab a souvenir and take photos instead. The trees belong to everyone, and a picture lasts longer than a wilted petal anyway.
8. There is a cherry blossom ice cream flavor.
Baskin Robbins Japan has re-released a cherry blossom flavored ice cream that is pink and reportedly contains actual cherry blossom leaves. Yes, the leaves are edible, which is more than you can say for most flowers in the yard.
9. There was a Cherry Tree Rebellion.
In 1938, a group of 150 women rebelled against the construction of the Jefferson Memorial because it meant the destruction of some Japanese cherry trees. On the day work was to begin, they chained themselves to a tree at the construction site in hopes of stopping it. You can read what happened from the National Park Service.
10. There is a cherry tree with blossoms made entirely out of LEGO.
One more of our cherry bloom facts: in Nagoya, Japan, a 14 foot tree was crafted entirely out of LEGO. More than 800,000 bricks went into it and it weighed over 7,000 pounds, setting a Guinness World Record in 2018. Watch it being built in the time-lapse below.
How to Enjoy Cherry Blossom Trees Near You
You do not have to fly to Tokyo or even to D.C. to enjoy the show. Many towns plant flowering cherries along main streets, in parks, and on campus greens, and a short walk in late March or April will often turn one up. Bring a camera, go early in the day before the crowds, and remember the D.C. rule everywhere: look, photograph, but do not pick. If a stretch of bad weather is coming, the petals may drop fast, so go the moment they open.
For more spring trees to plant and watch for, see our guide to flowering trees, and read up on the turning of the season in our look at spring. Wondering what is in store for spring weather in your neck of the woods? Check out our forecast here.
Cherry Blossom Trees: Frequently Asked Questions
When do cherry blossom trees bloom?
Cherry blossom trees bloom for only one to two weeks each spring. “Peak” is when 70 percent of the blooms are open, and the timing varies by year and region, with April 4 the mean peak date in Washington, D.C. Warm Southern springs open the blooms weeks earlier than cooler Northern ones, so check a local bloom forecast before you travel.
Where did Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossom trees come from?
They were a gift from Japan. A first shipment of 2,000 trees arrived in 1910 but was found infested with pests and destroyed on President Taft’s consent. A healthy second gift of over 3,000 trees followed, and those were planted starting in 1912. The National Park Service cares for the trees today.
Where is the cherry blossom capital of the world?
Macon, Georgia, calls itself the cherry blossom capital of the world. With more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, it hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. Washington, D.C., is the most famous destination, drawing over 1.5 million visitors a year to its National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Can you pick cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.?
No. Snapping blossoms off the trees in D.C. is treated as vandalism of federal property and can bring steep fines or even jail. Take photographs instead and leave the blooms for the next visitor. The same courtesy applies to public trees almost anywhere.
What is the difference between cherry blossom trees and fruiting cherry trees?
Flowering cherry blossom trees, such as the Yoshino, are grown for their spring blooms rather than their fruit, and many produce little or no edible cherries. Fruiting cherry trees are bred for the harvest. Dr. David Fairchild imported 75 flowering cherries in 1906 to test the ornamental kind in the United States.
Are cherry blossoms edible?
Yes, cherry blossom leaves and petals are edible and turn up in Japanese sweets and drinks. Baskin Robbins Japan has even re-released a pink cherry blossom ice cream reportedly made with real cherry blossom leaves. As with any foraged plant, only eat blossoms you know are clean and unsprayed.
Join the Discussion
We hope you enjoyed these cherry blossom facts. Do you know any others, or is there a stand of cherry blossom trees you visit every spring? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.
Deborah Tukua
Deborah Tukua is a natural living, healthy lifestyle writer and author of 7 non-fiction books, including Pearls of Garden Wisdom: Time-Saving Tips and Techniques from a Country Home, Pearls of Country Wisdom: Hints from a Small Town on Keeping Garden and Home, and Naturally Sweet Blender Treats. Tukua has been a writer for the Farmers' Almanac since 2004.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
There are small groves of cherry blossom trees in Orange County, CA and March.
Where can I purchase a Cherry Blossom tree for planting? Atlanta metro area. Thanks
Hi Jesse, any garden center that supplies flowering trees and shrubs will have cherry blossom trees.
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