|
The Cherry Blossoms
With Robert DeFeo
Chief Horticulturalist,
National Park Service
Friday, April 4, 2003; Noon ET
The blooming of the cherry trees each year around the Jefferson Memorial has come to symbolize the natural beauty of the nation's capital.
The National Park Service's latest forecast (April 3) for the 3700 Japanese trees around the Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument predicts the peak bloom will be between April 2 and April 9. Peak bloom is defined as the time in which 70 percent or more of the blossoms are open.
Robert DeFeo, chief horticulturalist for the National Park Service, was online Friday, April 4 at Noon ET, to discuss the latest forecast for the famous trees as well as their history and variety.
A transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
washingotnpost.com:
Rob, welcome to washingtonpost.com. So are the cherry blossoms out in full blossom now?
Robert DeFeo: The cherries actually reached peak bloom (which is defined as 70 percent or more of the blossoms opened) on April 2, which was several days before I had anticipated. The reason is very simple: You have temperaturs into the 80s and night temperatures staying in the 50s, which we had for several days. The blossoms really don't slow down, they continue. I was off by a few days. I had anticipated the 4th of April, but they actually came out two days earlier because of the temperatures I just described. And to my surprise, the snow event that we had on Sunday -- when it got cold and actually was snowing down here-- for reasons I cannot explain, didn't seem to have an significant effect on slowing down the progression of the blossoms. And that's another reason why I missed it be two days. It was warmer than I anticipated and the cold just didn't do what it normally does which is slow them down a bit.
Downtown:
I see that the blossoms are to peak from April 2-10. I have family coming into town Easter weekend -- will there still be enough blossoms out for it to be pretty?
Robert DeFeo: Absolutely there will be no Yoshino blossoms still in bloom. Each individual blossom lasts from four to ten days, with the blooming period lasting anywhere from ten to 14 days. That period can be shortened if the temperatures are excessively warm. Basically we have warm temperatures and that's why I'm saying April 2 to the 9th. It's going to be a short period this year because of the high temperaturs and thus, the blooming period this year was April 1 through April 9 with the peak being April 2 through 9.
So you will not see an Yoshino cherries in bloom over Easter weekend; HOWEVER, the Kwanzan cherry should be in bloom. It typically flowers 10 to 14 days after the Yoshino. There are some 500+ trees down at the Tidal Basin area and they are pink and they tend to be double-flowered. They are not located around the Tidal Basin but in adjacent areas. Thus the white cloud that people typically associate with the blooms will be green leaves. But the Kwanzan will be in bloom. Other things in bloom over the weekend will be tulips and crab apples. So basically, there will be other things just unfortunately not Yoshino the cherries.
Georegetown, Washington, D.C.:
Hi, I have a Kwanzan cherry tree that's just beginning to perk up -- small buds tipped by pink blossoms.
When do you think it'll peak?
Robert DeFeo: Probably the week of the 14th to the 19th of April.
Alexandria, Va.:
Some bugs are eating the trunk of my Yoshino Cherry tree. I sprayed the trunk with a commercial chemical for trees and shrubs. But it seems no help. Can you please tell me what to do. Thanks.
Robert DeFeo: I really cannot provide a definitive answer without knowing what kind of bug you have. My advice would be to substantiate what specifically the problem is and then take the appropriate recommended measures to correct the problem. If you can locate the bug/actually collect the bug and take it to your local extension service, they will identify the bug and provide a recommendation on how to control it.
Washington, D.C.:
I was down on the mall two days ago and was dismayed to see that the weeping cherries at the Hirschorn sculpture garden were not in bloom and looked disturbingly barren. What happened? These are my absolute favorite trees in DC--I've grown very attached to them -- please tell me they are okay!
Robert DeFeo: I know the trees that you are referencing. If I can take a rain check, if you'd like to e-mail me with your address, I will take a look a the trees next week and let you know what I observed. My e-mail address is robert_defeo@nps.gov.
Washington, D.C.:
If it rains on the blossoms, are they damaged?
Robert DeFeo: That's a trick question, if you will. Rain does not in any way hurt the blossoms or the petals; however, it depends on when the rain comes. If the rain comes early in the blooming period when the petals are tightly held on the blossom, the rain will do no damage. But as the bloom progreses and the blossoms start getting ready to fall, rain and/or high winds can accelerate the petals separating from the blossom.
Bascially, if it rains today or this weekend, it would have no significant effect. But if it rains Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and if it rains hard, it could knock a the blossoms off and shorten the bloom period. But there's no damage whatsoever to the tree.
Bethesda, Md.:
What kindof trees are plnated along the merto rail? Especially the ones along I66?
Robert DeFeo: I believe these are the purple flowering plum and you can confirm that by checking the trees in a few weeks and they will have purple leaves. The purple flowering plum tends to flower one week before the Yoshino cherries. So if they're in bloom now out there, that's the best I can do without actually seeing the tree. If it is the purple flowering plum, the blossom will actually be pink as opposed to pure white.
Washington, D.C.:
I've frequently seen that I should contact my "local extension service." What is my "local extension service" and what services do they offer? Is there one of the District of Columbia?
Robert DeFeo: Yes, there is the District of Columbia Cooperative Extension Service. I don't have to information on how to contact them, but I believe they are extension services administered through the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and I would suggest you contact them for a number. I'm not familiar with the extent of horticultural services they provide.
Washington, D.C.:
I also noticed several flowerless weeping cherries on the mall. On a positive note, the magnolias in front of the castle are spectacular right now. Everyone should make a stop in the Castle's garden (near the Smithsonian metro stop) before going to see the cherry blossoms this weekend.
Robert DeFeo: You might also want to stop at Fountain #4 by the inlet bridge to see some magnolias and other flowering bulbs and shrubs. Fountain #4 is all that is left of Mrs. Taft's gardens that were there back in the early 1900s. It is also the site of the newly-dedicated George Mason Memorial.
Washington, D.C.:
What's the status of your old nemesis the beavers? Has anyone checked in on the original squad, and have any new ones shown up to replace them?
Robert DeFeo: The original squad was relocated to a wildlife refuge whose location was not disclosed, not even to myself. As for beavers, yes, they are active. They have always been active on Columbia Island which is across the river along the GW Parkway but there have been no trees damaged by beavers this year that I'm aware of. And for the record, beavers have always been in and around the Potomac River here and we have successfully coexisted with them since the day the cherries were planted. It was just unusual a few years ago that the beavers took residence in storm water drains.
Vienna, Va.:
Can you briefly give us a history of the cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin?
Robert DeFeo: Briefly, they were shipped in 1910 and destroyed under the order of President Taft because they were infected with various diseases. They were regrown under quarantine conditions and reshippped in 1912 and planted at that time in East and West Potomac Parks. They were a gift of friendship from the people of Japan to the U.S. The cherry tree holds significant meaning to the people of Japan. It is the symbol of life. Three thousand twenty trees were shipped and planted and today there are 3700 trees because of a second gift to Lady Bird Johnson. Basically, we are maintaining the population at a level that reflects the original gift to maintain the sense of place that was created in 1912. It is not the intention of the Park Service to expand the planting of cherries beyong the Tidal Basin and East and West Potomac Park.
Washington, D.C.:
How much maintenance do they require?
Robert DeFeo: Good question. Basically the cherry trees are pruned two times a year. Pruning is by far the single most important task that is performed on the trees to sustain their health. The most extensive pruning that begins in Jan. and ends just around the time before blossom. Durin this pruning, dead wood disease and weak and interfering branches are removed. This is the most significant pruning that is done in that period.
A second pruning is performed during the summer to remove stressed or diseased branches as well as suckers that arise from the main trunk. You need to remove those because they are undesirable as they expend energy that would otherwise go to branches and leaves that are desirable and will be retained.
The other significant task is watering during times of drought and as you know, this past summer we experienced on e of the worst draughts we ever experienced and as you can see today and through the weekend, the blossoms are absolutely in fantastic shape. That is because a group of men that we refer to as the "Tree Crew" back in the summer when it was 100 degrees+ worked 24/7 to ensure that the cherry trees did not suffer from a lack of water. These gentlemen are professionally trained arborists and for the most part are entrusted to take care of the trees. Their sense of professionalism and dedication to their profession is the single most reason that our cherry trees look as good as they do and have survived as long as they have.
This year, these gentlemen will be featured in the parade and if you really want to thank the individuals who are really responsibile for this magnificent display of blossoms we experience every year, acknowledge them as they pass.
And even though I tend to be associated with the cherries because I make the forecast and provide information, I do not and am not responsible for actually maintaining the trees; in fact, I haven't pruned a cherry tree in over 18 years. I am just the chief horticulturalist, aka, glorified florist.
Robert DeFeo: The answers to most of the above questions and other questions on the cherry trees and the Tidal Basin can be found at www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry.
And if there's a question you have that is not answered on that Web page, feel free to e-mail your question to me and if it is a relevant question, we will add that information to the page. If someone is still curious about how many actual peteals there are the answer is 12,482,312 plus and minus 5 or 6.
| |
© Copyright 2003 The Washington Post Company | 
