Japan is giving the U.S. 250 cherry trees, which will replace the trees being removed from around the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capital, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced during his state visit to the White House.
The first of the District’s cherry trees was installed in 1912 as a gift from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki. Eventually, 3,000 were planted in the city, including on the grounds of the White House, according to the National Park Service.
Starting in May, 140 of the existing trees will be removed between the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Jefferson memorials to prepare the area for repair work on the seawalls.
Mr. Kishida said the number of trees being given honors America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
“The cherry trees along the Potomac River are a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States. These Japanese-born cherry trees have been sounding the arrival of spring to the city every year for over 110 years. … I decided to send 250 new cherry trees to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States,” Mr. Kishida said through an interpreter.
President Biden said that “every spring, cherry blossoms bloom across the city thanks to a gift from Japan of 3,000 cherry trees over a century ago. People travel all over our country and the world to see these magnificent blossoms.”
Park Service officials previously said that 274 new cherry trees would be planted to make up for the 140 that are being removed. Officials have not yet clarified whether the 250 trees being gifted by Japan will be part of that group of new trees.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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