The Cherry Trees At This Iconic Utah Spot Will Be In Full Bloom Soon And It’s An Extraordinary Sight To See
By Catherine Armstrong|Published April 03, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
With every Utah state legislative session, there are probably some issues you agree with, and others that make your blood boil. That’s just Utah politics, and while you might not love everything that goes on inside the State Capitol, there’s certainly one thing happening outside the building that we can all agree is absolutely lovely: the annual cherry blossoms! They’ll be blooming soon, and you don’t want to miss them:
Something's happening at the Utah State Capitol, and we're all waiting with bated breath. No, it's not a new liquor law, and it doesn't have anything to do with your taxes...it's the annual appearance of millions of beautiful blooms on the Capitol's cherry trees.
Every spring, these beautiful blooms dress up the Capitol's grounds. They typically appear in late March or early April. Last year the blossoms were in full bloom on April 9th, but the folks at the Capitol speculate that they'll be a little later this year.
After World War II, the Japanese people sent cherry trees to Utah and many other states around the country, as well as to Washington D.C.. Because the blossoms on the cherry tree bloom and die within just a few weeks, the trees symbolize the fleeting nature of life.
This symbol of peace and friendship lives on at the Utah State Capitol. You'll definitely want to keep your eyes out - as the Japanese well know, the cherry blooms don't last long. Plan a trip to visit, and bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn.
Free tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the hour. Docents will show you some of the architectural highlights of the building, and tell you all about its history. You can also take a self-guided tour, and kids will enjoy the scavenger hunt.
Follow the Utah State Capitol’s Facebook page for updates on the cherry blossom blooms. Are you planning to take a trip to the Capitol to see this vestige of spring?