Cherry blossoms bloom early in D.C.

A man and a woman hold hands as they walk beneath cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012.

The warm weather is making the iconic trees bloom early - and 2012 also marks a century since Japan sent the cherry trees as a gift to the United States.

With the Washington Monument in the background, cherry blossoms bloom near the Tidal Basin in Washington, Friday, March 16, 2012.

The trees are beginning to bloom, with the National Park Service forecasts peak bloom between March 20 and 23 - one of the earliest years on record, due to warmer-than-average temperatures.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012.

Soon the roughly 4,000 trees along D.C.'s Tidal Basin will take on the vivid colors and cloud-like shapes that have dazzled crowds for a century.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012.

Two thousands cherry blossom trees were first delivered in 1910 as a gift from the city of Tokyo. But upon arrival they had to be burned - infested with insects.

Just two years later, the Japanese sent 3,000 more, and in a small ceremony First Lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador planted the very first.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012. The National Park Service forecasts peak bloom between March 20 and 23, one of the earliest years on record due to warmer-than-average winter temperatures.

A woman photographs cherry blossom trees as they begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012.

People walk beneath cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012.

People ride a paddleboat as cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012.

Amid blooming cherry blossoms, President Barack Obama makes remarks about a trade case against China with Commerce Secretary John Bryson (left) and Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in the Rose Garden at the White House March 13, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Cherry blossom trees begin to bloom adjacent to the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2012.

The Jefferson Memorial is seen trough cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2012.

A couple takes photos beneath cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2012.

A statue of Winfield Scott (1786-1866) is seen trough the cherry blossom trees adjacent at Scott Circle in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2012.

A cherry blossom branch is seen on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2012.

People enjoy a sunny day walking under the cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2012.

The National Park Service forecasts peak bloom between March 20 and 23, one of the earliest years on record due to warmer than average winter temperatures.

National Cherry Blossom Festival (Official website)

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