Peak bloom of the picturesque cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C. is almost here
The blooming of cherry blossom trees is an annual springtime tradition in the nation’s capital, dating back to the historic 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Japan.
How Washington, DC got its famous cherry blossom trees
In 1912, Japan gifted 3,000 flowering cherry trees to Washington, DC. Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival honors that gift of friendship.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Peak bloom for the iconic cherry blossom trees surrounding America's greatest monuments in Washington, D.C., is almost upon us, offering wondrous views.
The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service (NPS) announced that early this spring, from March 29 to April 1, will be the peak blooming of the cherry blossom trees at the National Mall.
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Otherwise known as "America’s Front Yard," the National Mall and Memorial Parks are home to many of our country’s most iconic memorials, telling the story of how our nation was shaped over time.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial surrounded by cherry blossom trees as the cherry blossoms hit peak bloom on March 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Shannon Finney/WireImage / Getty Images)
The National Mall and Tidal Basin will surely see an influx of visitors, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of the birth of our great nation.
"As we mark 250 years of American independence, the cherry blossoms remind us of our nation’s enduring strength and the responsibility we share to care for the places that tell our story," Jessica Bowron, Comptroller, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director, said.
The blooming of cherry blossom trees is an annual springtime tradition in the nation’s capital, dating back to the historic 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Japan.
![Cherry blossom trees frame the Jefferson Memorial along the tidal basin in Washington. The pink and white cherry blossoms draw a million visitors each spring to Washington, DC. It was 100 years ago the first of 3,000 trees were planted as part of a gift from Japan as a symbol of friendship.]()
Image 1 of 3Cherry blossom trees frame the Jefferson Memorial along the tidal basin in Washington. The pink and white cherry blossoms draw a million visitors each spring to Washington, DC. It was 100 years ago the first of 3,000 trees were planted as part of a gift from Japan as a symbol of friendship. (Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis )
![People visit the Jefferson Memorial as cherry trees bloom, on the Tidal Basin near in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2025.]()
Image 2 of 3People visit the Jefferson Memorial as cherry trees bloom, on the Tidal Basin near in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2025. (Drew ANGERER / AFP)
![People visit the cherry blossom trees during their peak bloom stage at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. on March 28, 2025.]()
Image 3 of 3People visit the cherry blossom trees during their peak bloom stage at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. on March 28, 2025. (Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP)
According to the NPS, warm or cool temperatures in the past have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (in 1990) and as late as April 18 (in 1958).
Peak bloom for these trees lasts for several days, according to the NPS. Forecasting the peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days in advance.
NPS horticulturists will monitor bud development and report bloom status as the countdown progresses.
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