It may be time for drastic action for D.C.'s Cherry Blossoms

From Washington Post: Smothered With Love

from JoeUser Forums

Yet again, I'm gonna try writing most of this article without many (if any) clips from the original news paper article that helped inspire my writing here.  Instead, I'm going to encourage readers to visit The Washington Post's own web site at the link that I'm including.  Read the article there and then come back and discuss things further if you'd like.

I'd also encourage you to please read this article (here at Joe User and the affiliated sites) and the comments in their entireity before commenting so that your comments will be able to add to those of others, or perhaps be more inspired by those of others.

The original Wash Post article that inspired this JU article can be found here: Smothered With Love Officials Are Increasingly Worried About D.C.'s Original 1912 Cherry Trees, Saying the Throngs of Visitors Pose the Greatest Threat to Their Health

The headline and subheading there give away a lot of content of that article, but there are also some pictures and of course a great deal of detail in the article. Please take the time to read that original article as it is fascinating and well worth the time you might spend doing so.

If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting the nation's (U.S.A.) Capitol during the spring time, when the blossoms are in bloom, then you are probably well aware of the Cherry Blossom trees around the tidal basin there.  The trees have a history dating back to the early 1900's when they were received as a gift from Japan.  Long before World War II, and thankfully through those years and well beyond.  Oops, make that maybe not so well beyond.

... more in the comments area.  Please continue reading there.

politics
4,026 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

... continued from original article.  Thanks for continuing.

Therein lies the problem.  The wellness, or lack thereof, for these beautiful trees is something that is becoming more problematic over time.  These trees may be getting killed because of the many visitors that come to see them each year.  Thanks to damage that humans cause to the environment when they drive to the area, or are brought to the area by buses or taxi-cabs.  Also thanks to the damage that people walking around the trees do from their own body weight.  And at times thanks to people that want their own small clippings off the trees.

These delicate plants are possibly being damaged by people that come to admire their beauty and don't realize that in getting as close-up as they can to the trees they are mashing down the soil around the trees and causing damage to the roots of the trees.   They are definitely weakened when visitors break off small branches and other clippings so they can take home souvenirs of their visits.  And also definitely weakened by the exhaust and emissions of vehicles that pass through the area.

What should be done about it?  Should we no longer allow visitors to the area?  Should the trees be blocked off even more than they already are so that visitors are no longer able to walk in the areas around them?

I don't have the answer, but I rather hope that one is found soon so that these trees survive well into the future.  While I might suffer from allergies when the pollen is heavy in the air, I know that seeing these trees in full bloom is one of the most beautiful things about spring.  Looking at trees that go from branches with tiny little blossoms to full bloom seems to be magical and is so inspiring.  It can and does lift your spirits and takes away the duldrums of winter.  All things I hope continue for a long, long time.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
The answer?  Just keep planting more.  Tress live a long time, but not forever.  A regular cycling program of new plantings will ensure that some are always there.  You can fence them in, but I dont think that will stop the souvenir seekers.
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