Japan Gifts 250 Cherry Trees to U.S. Amid Tidal Basin Reconstruction

The donation commemorates the U.S. 250th anniversary and replaces trees lost in ongoing construction.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the gift during a state visit, highlighting the enduring Japan-U.S. friendship.
The trees will replace 158 cherry blossoms being removed for Tidal Basin seawall repairs, with construction expected to last three years.
The original gift of cherry trees from Japan in 1912 has become a symbol of spring and friendship in Washington, D.C.
The new trees will be planted near iconic locations such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
'Stumpy,' a popular but decaying cherry tree, will be among those removed, sparking tributes from its many fans.