10 Incredible Details About Cherry Blossoms

The season of cherry blossoms is a significant attraction for cities blessed with an abundance of these ornamental trees. Each year, countless visitors flock to cherry blossom festivals globally to witness the stunning pink flowers. In honor of spring's arrival, here are 10 lesser-known facts about the trees that produce such breathtaking petals.

1. Cherry blossoms are native to just a few select countries.

Known as sakura in Japan, the cherry blossoms of Yoshino and Kyoto are globally renowned. Each spring, visitors from around the world travel to Japan to partake in the ancient tradition of hanami, or “flower viewing.” However, you don’t need to visit Japan to experience their beauty. In the U.S., cities like Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston boast their own stunning cherry blossom displays. These flowers can also be admired in numerous European and Asian countries, as well as in Brazil and Australia in the Southern Hemisphere.

2. The global cherry blossom capital is located in Georgia.

Surprisingly, Macon in central Georgia holds the title of the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World,” as documented in U.S. congressional records. The city is home to 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, compared to Washington, D.C., which has fewer than 4000.

Organizers of the cherry blossom festivals in these two cities have engaged in friendly rivalry over the years. In 1987, Macon festival representatives sent army helmets to D.C. TV stations to highlight the competition, as reported in The Record. D.C. representatives remained composed, with a National Park Service spokesperson remarking, “I’m sure they have many more trees than we do, but we take pride in our celebration.”

3. There are numerous varieties of cherry trees, each with unique characteristics.

Japan boasts an impressive diversity of cherry trees, with estimates suggesting over 600 varieties. Some produce fruit, while others are purely ornamental. The blossoms of many trees transition through shades of pink and white as they bloom, while others shift from greenish yellow to white and then to pink. The Kanzan variety, known for its double blossoms, can have up to 28 petals per flower, contrasting with the Yoshino tree's five petals.

4. The blooming period of cherry trees is remarkably short.

Cherry trees typically bloom for just one to two weeks, with their most vibrant colors lasting only about three days. To fully enjoy this spectacle, especially if traveling, plan your visit carefully. The timing of the bloom is influenced by factors such as location, temperature, and daylight. In Washington, D.C., for instance, the first signs of florets usually emerge in March, with peak bloom—when 70% of the flowers are open—occurring in late March or early April.

5. Rising global temperatures may be causing cherry trees to bloom sooner than usual.

Experts have indicated that cherry trees are blooming earlier as global temperatures rise. Dr. Soo-Hyung Kim, an ecophysiologist at the University of Washington, has researched this trend and predicts that by 2080, cherry blossoms in D.C. could appear as early as February. In 2021, Japan's cherry blossoms reached their peak on March 26, the earliest in 1200 years. Similarly, D.C.'s trees also experienced an unusually early bloom that year.

6. Plucking cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., can lead to legal consequences, including arrest.

Taking a cherry blossom or branch as a souvenir is strongly discouraged, especially in D.C., where it is considered an act of vandalism against federal property. Violators may face citations or even arrest, though authorities typically issue warnings or impose minor fines. Climbing the trees is also prohibited, as damaged branches cannot regenerate blossoms. In short, avoid any contact with the trees to preserve their beauty.

7. America's initial batch of Japanese cherry trees was a total failure.

In 1909, Japan sent 2000 cherry trees to America as a gesture of goodwill between the nations, following President Teddy Roosevelt's role in mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. However, the effort went awry when the trees arrived in D.C. in January 1910. They were in poor condition due to excessive root pruning and infested with wood-boring insects. Despite efforts to salvage them, the trees were eventually burned.

The incident caused considerable embarrassment, but Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki lightened the mood with humor. “Honestly, destroying cherry trees has been an American tradition since your first president, George Washington,” he remarked. “So, there’s no need to worry. In fact, you should take pride in it.” (The story about Washington and the cherry tree is fictional, but that’s beside the point.) A second shipment of trees was sent, and by 1912, first lady Helen Taft successfully planted the healthy trees in D.C.

8. In a Dutch municipality, each cherry tree is given a unique name.

In the Netherlands' largest park, all 400 cherry blossom trees bear individual names. Half are named after traditional Dutch women, and the other half after Japanese women. These trees were a gift from the Japan Women’s Club in 2000 and are now located in Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) within the Amstelveen municipality.

9. Both cherry blossoms and their leaves are safe to eat.

In Japan, every part of the cherry tree is utilized. Preserved leaves serve as edible wrappers for mochi, a rice cake filled with sweet bean paste, while sakura is a key ingredient in various seasonal treats. Popular beverages include sakura-flavored Pepsi, Coke, teas, and Starbucks lattes. Additionally, there are sakura-themed Kit Kats—such as sakura and roasted soybean, and sakura sake—as well as Pocky sticks infused with sakura and matcha (green tea) flavors.

What do cherry blossoms taste like? Gabe Perez, social media director at Japan Crate, describes them as having a “delicate, floral, and slightly cherry-like flavor.” Japan Crate is a subscription service that delivers many of these snacks, along with other Japanese products, to customers worldwide.

10. A record-breaking LEGO sculpture was inspired by the beauty of cherry trees.

In 2018, LEGOLAND Japan, located in Nagoya, achieved a Guinness World Record for constructing the largest LEGO brick cherry blossom tree ever created (though it’s unclear how many competitors there were). The impressive structure reached 14 feet in height, weighed more than 7000 pounds, and was built using over 800,000 LEGO bricks.