Cherry Blossom Trees

By Michael Pillagalli

Chester County Day never really ceases for a spell after the tour is over as the chores for the following year have already commenced as we are moving from house to house on the tour at the moment.  Historical sights and finds are always on the tour goers’ minds and as we celebrate America 250 this year, it recalls one of the tours that attracts thousands of visitors each year as does our beloved Chester County Day. 

Since there is a connection with West Chester and this spot has been a feature of our Chester County Day Tour in the past, here is a little background between the two tours and their historical significance!

The flowering cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. have been a focus of celebration for well over 100 years.  The story of their fame started in 1910 when the then mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, gifted the United States with 2000 sapling trees to commemorate the friendship between the two countries.  Unfortunately, most of those trees succumbed to disease and failure in transport and most died. After the second year in the ground and even fewer blossomed or lived, Japan sent another shipment of 3020 in 1912.  Again, it was a symbol of friendship between the two countries that we are still enjoying one hundred and fourteen years later. 

Many of the second planting did not or have not survived but they have been replaced with back up stock throughout the mall, Tidal Basin and some Washington, D.C. areas. A few dozen of the original Tidal Basin trees still bloom each year and are used for the basis of creating new trees from their stock.  The blossoms are enjoyed by throngs of tourists wandering the Tidal Basin to enjoy the sight and smell of friendship. 

Unknown to many people in our area is the fact that two of the second batch of gifted trees are in our area in the borough of West Chester. Some of the second batch of trees were distributed to U.S. Congressman of that time and Thomas Butler, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Chester, received two saplings which he planted on the grounds of his West Chester house on West Miner Street.  These trees have flourished over the years and were in full bloom last year. 

To honor the lasting friendship between the two countries there are plans for the Japanese Embassy to send another 250 trees to the United States as a gift to help us celebrate our 250th anniversary.  This will help kick off the early spring activities and festivities to celebrate our 250 years of independence.  

Washington, DC's cherry blossoms have more than a century of history, beginning with the first gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo in 1910. Unfortunately, these trees became diseased but they were replaced in 1912 with over 3,000 new plants. A few dozen of the original Tidal Basin trees still bloom each year and have been supplemented with thousands more throughout the District.

The cherry blossoms continue to endure as a symbol of spring in the nation's capital and friendship between the people of the U.S. and Japan. In 2026, the Japanese Embassy will gift 250 new trees in honor of America's 250th birthday.