Next slide Washington’s Cherry Blossoms March 2000 In 1952, cuttings from Washington trees were sent to Japan to help restore a noted stand that had deteriorated during World War Two. The collection along the Arakawa River had been the parent stock for the trees originally donated to the United States. Thirty years later, about 800 more cuttings were forwarded to help the Japanese retain the genetic characteristics of their trees. The number of trees along the Tidal Basin is back to about the original total thanks to the Blossoms In Our Future campaign sponsored by the National Park Service. Between 1986 and 1988, 676 new trees were planted at a cost of more than $101,000 in private donations.