Hundreds of new trees are being planted along the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin, known around the world for its springtime cherry blossoms.
The Tidal Basin is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington. A social media update from the park said the trees are replacing others taken out due to construction that started in the area in 2024. Previous reports said 306 trees were removed for a seawall rehabilitation project.
Plans call for 426 new trees, including 269 cherry trees, to be planted in their place.
"Paid for by a generous donation from the nation of Japan, the trees represent the most recent chapter in this remarkable cultural exchange dating back to Japan's original gift of cherry trees in 1912," the update said. "The saplings – most of them are varieties of cherry trees – will be planted in the coming months where we expect them to thrive and add their splendor to this iconic landscape."
The Tidal Basin was built in the 1800s to help mitigate flooding and flush silt out of the Washington Channel. Today it's the centerpiece of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the basin on its list of 11 Most Endangered Places, citing overcrowding and daily high tide flooding as key threats.
Several projects are ongoing at the site. The first of two phases to reconstruct the basin's sinking seawall was completed in December. That project aims to prevent frequent flooding and damage to the historic trees and landscape.
The National Park Service is seeking public comment on a future management plan for the Tidal Basin. The proposal can be viewed at parkplanning.nps.gov/tidalbasinDCP. The site also includes a link to provide comments.
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