CROFTON CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Jessica Kruse, Crofton Cherry Trees Project Chair, Jane McClanahan, Carol Buhr and C.J. Salisbury

The Crofton Cherry Blossom Festival could not have gone better with over 100 kids stopping by to create and take home their "painting" of cherry blossom branches. CVGC members manning the table included Jessica Kruse (Crofton Cherry Trees Project Chair), Jane McClanahan, Carol Buhr, and C.J. Salisbury. They helped the kids (and some adults) with the painting activity which resulted in a simple but elegant piece of art ready to frame. 

Jessica Kruse, Cherry Tree Project Chair

An informational board was shared with the community on how the cherry trees came to be along Crofton Parkway.

In the 1960's Kathryn "Kay" Callahan persuaded this new community of Crofton to replicate the beauty and glory of the Japanese cherry trees that were planted at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Kay was determined to have cherry trees in Crofton and was able to secure a Wheaton, MD nursery to plant the trees at cost, which was a mere $11.33 per tree, provided she could find 15 neighbors to also order trees.

The Crofton Village Garden Club (CVGC) formed in 1969 with a mere 30 ladies, and they set their goals: to beauify, promote community, and improve the environment. Kay introduced the idea of the cherry tree plantings to the newly formed garden club and CVGC has carried on this commitment ever since.

Homeowners around the parkway have joined in and cherry trees have been independently purchased and planted on residential properties, and the beauty of the springtime cherry blossom has spread!

To celebrate Crofton's 50th Anniversary, CVGC pledged to plant 50 new cherry trees around the parkway and completed the project in 2022. Today's costs average approximately $200 a tree!

With the help of good neighbors, the CVGC continues planting two Yoshino cherry trees every other spring and maintains the trees over the years along the parkway.

Jane McClanahan, Jessica Kruse, Louie, Carol Buhr and C.J. Salisbury