On March 28th, 2008 several members of the Geography Department organized and attended a field trip to see the annual blooming of the Japanese Cherry Trees in Washington, D.C. The group was welcomed by Robert Defeo who is the Chief of the Horticulture Department at the National Park Service.

Rob gave the group a lecture on the cherry trees including the history of their arrival in Washington, the ways in which the trees are cared for and maintained,  the impact of park visitors on the trees (and how the Park Service minimizes this impact), and the potential impacts of natural predators including beavers who make their home in the Tidal Basin. Since the beaver population is controlled they are generally considered to be a friendly co-inhabitant with the trees.

The group tried to choose, in advance, a day for the field trip that was likely to have a good display of cherry blossoms. Their planning was rewarded with a magnificent display on what was likely to be the best day for viewing the blossoms this year.

Click the images below to see larger photos of this remarkable event. These images were take by Patricia Boudinot and Barry Kronenfeld.