A Yoshino Cherry Tree for Jennifer Vann

Let us plant a tree for Jennifer today

Jennifer and Stephen liked to walk that hill above, ? The best view in the arboretum ? with mountains to the east ? a meadow below ? and a grove of cherry, quince and crabapple in the distance ? where we now stand. ? In spring, these trees abloom in pink and white, ? people find their favorite spots with favorite views beneath a favorite tree.

We plant a new tree here, a Yoshino cherry, ? the first the arboretum has ever had. ? Few trees are so loved ? that countries give them to other countries as a gift ? So inspiring ? that when received, their planting starts a festival ? So cherished ? that a sharpening axe sparks revolt. ? The Yoshino is one.

Let me explain. ? In 1912 Japan sent 3000 trees to the United States to commemorate friendship. ? Most of these were Yoshino cherries. ? First Lady Taft and Viscountess Chinda ? planted two along the Tidal Basin in the Nation’s Capitol ? and began the National Cherry Blossom Festival. ? Today, the city is seldom bigger than when those cherries bloom.

In 1938 ? many of the original cherries stood in the footprint of a proposed memorial ? for the horticulturist 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, and were slated for destruction. ? Women stormed the White House to complain ? then chained themselves to trees. ? They lost the trees to bronze and marble but won the day. ? More trees soon filled the Tidal Basin, from full to overflowing.

So let us plant a Yoshino cherry.

At first glance a new tree in fall is unconvincing. ? Leafless, fruitless, gray as the grayest day ? it can seem to memorialize sadness rather than a joyous life ? but look more closely. ? The branch tips are already swollen with next spring’s flowers, ? each bud a wink that says ‘you’ll see.’ ? We ask nothing of a tree we plant in autumn, ? feed it, water it, protect it, ? bless it in our many ways ? and wish it best through winter’s journey.

But then we wink back at the tree. ? See you in the spring.

Now let us plant a cherry tree for Jennifer. ?

[Tree Dedication by T’ai Roulston, Curator, State Arboretum of Virginia]