Lawmakers erupt in cheers as Japanese prime minister announces that 250 new cherry trees are gifted to DC after the capital spends $113MILLION to chop down the beloved cherry blossoms – including iconic ‘Stumpy’ – to repair the crumbling Tidal Basin
Members of Congress jumped to their feet Thursday when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke about Japan’s gift of 250 new cherry trees to replace those being cut down to support Washington, DC’s crumbling tidal basin.
Kishida addressed Congress as part of his official state visit to Washington this week.
The speech followed a glitzy state dinner at the White House Wednesday night, attended by A-list guests including Robert DeNiro, Jeff Bezos and girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, and former President Bill Clinton and ex-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
“I know the National Park Service is doing a rehabilitation project in the tidal basin. As a gesture of friendship, Japan will provide 250 cherry trees to be planted there in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of your independence,” Kishida said, prompting lawmakers to jump to their feet.
During peak cherry blossom bloom this year, large numbers of locals and tourists have flocked to the Tidal Basin to pay tribute to one doomed tree in particular, affectionately known as ‘Stumpy’.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint session of Congress on Thursday afternoon after attending a glitzy state dinner at the White House on Wednesday evening. He received a standing ovation when he brought up the Japanese cherry tree donation
During this year’s peak cherry blossom bloom, large numbers of locals and tourists flocked to the Tidal Basin to pay tribute to one doomed tree in particular, affectionately known as ‘Stumpy’ (pictured)
Stumpy’s stump has been virtually hollowed out and the tree has only one branch left – yet the tree has produced a mass of cherry blossoms every spring year after year – despite being flooded twice a day by the waters of the tidal basin.
Stumpy is one of about 150 cherry trees that will be cut down in May so construction can strengthen the tidal basin’s failing seawall.
The entire project will cost $113 million and take three years, the National Park Service announced last month.
When completed, 455 trees, including 274 cherry trees, will be replanted in the area, the NPS said.
The new Japanese donation was first announced Wednesday when President Joe Biden welcomed Kishida to the White House with a large-scale ceremony on the South Lawn.
The original trees were donated to the Americans by the Japanese in 1912.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida received a standing ovation from members of Congress on Thursday as he announced Japan’s donation of 250 fresh cherry trees to replace those being cut down around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC.
Flowers have been left in tribute to ‘Stumpy,’ which will be cut down in May as part of the National Park Service’s restoration project around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
‘Let me end with this. It’s spring in Washington. The sun shines. And every spring, cherry blossoms bloom all over the city thanks to a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan more than a century ago,” the president said. “People travel all over the country and the world to see these beautiful blossoms.”
Biden noted how the Kishidas had visited the cherry blossom trees on the White House campus the night before with the president and first lady.
“One that Jill and Mrs. Kishida planted together a year ago,” the President said. “The other two are among 250 new trees that Japan will give to the United States over two years in honor of our 250th anniversary.”
“They will be planted in the Tidal Basin, not far from the Martin Luther King Memorial,” Biden said.
“And like our friendship, these trees are timeless, inspiring and thriving,” the president said.