During a visit to the White House, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revealed Japan’s plan to donate 250 new cherry trees to Washington. These trees, intended to commemorate the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, will be planted at the iconic Tidal Basin near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
The cherry blossoms from the original 3,000 trees gifted by Japan over a century ago have become synonymous with the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital. President Biden praised the enduring symbolism of these trees, describing them as “timeless, inspiring, and thriving,” much like the enduring relationship between the United States and Japan.
This announcement follows a recent decision by the National Park Service to remove 300 trees, including 158 cherry trees, from the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park as part of a project to repair deteriorating sea walls. Among the trees slated for removal is a notable specimen known as Stumpy, which exhibits advanced decay in its trunk.
The restoration of the sea walls will necessitate the placement of fencing and construction equipment around some of the cherry trees for the next three years. This project is just one aspect of the broader rehabilitation efforts underway on the National Mall in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, according to officials from the Park Service.