Jill Biden – Yoshino Cherry

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (right) and Mrs. Kishida Yuko, spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan.

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Presidential Library / Official White House photo by Erin Scott

Prunus x ‘Yedoensis’ 

April 17, 2023

First Lady Jill Biden and Mrs. Kishida Yuko, spouse of the former Prime Minister of Japan, planted a Yoshino cherry tree on the South Grounds near the East Wing on April 17, 2023.

This commemorative tree symbolizes decades of friendship between the United States and Japan. The Tidal Basin is known for its vibrant cherry trees, celebrated during the Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. In 1912, a gift of 3,000 Yoshino cherry blossoms from Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador was presented to First Lady Helen Herron Taft.

The tree was relocated to the lower South Grounds of the White House in September 2025, as part of the East Wing expansion project.

 

Yoshino cherry in its location on the South Grounds, March 2026.

Photo by Dale Haney

Yoshino cherry in its original location.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

The bronze commemorative plaque for the Biden cherry tree.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

 

Commemorative Tree Plantings