Why Newark , NJhas way more cherry trees than Washington DC’s famous collection

Caroline Bamberger Fuld’s 2,000 Cherry Trees for Newark

In 1927, Newark got a gift that would bloom for a century.

Caroline Bamberger Fuld, a wealthy department store heiress, set out to beat Washington DC at its own game. After trips to Japan and years of care on her New Jersey estate, she gave Branch Brook Park 2,000 cherry trees.

The Olmsted Brothers firm then placed them on tiered slopes to match how they’d look in Japan. Soon after, her family added 1,600 more trees.

Today, the park boasts over 5,000 cherry trees in 18 varieties, making it America’s largest collection.

The pink blooms that fill Branch Brook Park each spring tell a story of one woman’s vision that changed Newark forever.

A Department Store Heiress Planted Newark’s Cherry Tree Legacy

Caroline Bamberger Fuld grew up in Baltimore in 1864 to German Jewish immigrants who owned small stores. She moved to Newark in 1892 to help her brother Louis build the popular L. Bamberger & Co. department store.

She married Louis Meyer Frank in 1883, who died in 1910. Three years later, she married Felix Fuld, her brother’s business partner.

The Bamberger-Fuld family became one of Newark’s most important families, known for their business success and community work.

She Fell In Love With Cherry Blossoms During Her Travels

Caroline loved gardens and trips abroad. While visiting Washington DC, she fell in love with the Japanese cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, given as gifts from Japan in 1912.

The pretty pink and white flowers made her want to bring that same beauty to Newark.

Caroline even traveled to Japan to learn about different cherry tree types and picked out a collection to bring back home. She wanted Newark to have its own amazing spring show.

Her Estate Became A Cherry Tree Nursery

Caroline took her time before putting the trees in public. She brought 2,000 Japanese cherry trees to her home in Orange, New Jersey, near Newark.

She watched them closely to make sure they got used to American weather.

Her gardeners kept track of each tree, getting them ready for their future home in Branch Brook Park. This test period helped make sure the trees would grow well once moved.

She Gave Newark A Blooming Gift In 1927

Caroline made her big gift in 1927, giving 2,000 Japanese flowering cherry trees to Branch Brook Park. She wanted to create a display as good as or better than Washington DC’s famous trees.

Her huge donation amazed local officials and neighbors. Very few regular citizens had ever given so many flowering trees to a public park.

The trees came from her estate ready to plant after years of careful growing.

Famous Landscape Architects Created A Japanese-Inspired Design

Caroline worked with the Olmsted Brothers company, sons of Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. They made a plan that did more than just put trees in straight lines.

They placed cherry trees along the natural hills of the Second River valley in Branch Brook Park. Trees lined the water and spread down hillsides in groups that looked natural, similar to how they grow in Japan.

This careful plan created beautiful views throughout the park.

The Cherry Tree Collection Doubled Within A Year

The first planting worked so well that more trees soon followed. In 1928, the Bamberger family gave another 1,600 cherry trees to Branch Brook Park.

This brought the total to more than 3,600 trees in just two years. The bigger collection turned the park into a spring hot spot for people across the area.

Visitors could walk for miles under pink and white flower canopies, seeing different types that bloomed at slightly different times.

Caroline Used Her Fortune To Support Education

After Felix died in 1929, Caroline and her brother Louis sold Bamberger’s department store to R. H. Macy. They gave $1 million from the sale to their workers.

The brother and sister then used much of their money to start the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. This research center brought in brilliant people like Albert Einstein.

While the cherry trees showed her love of beauty, the Institute showed her support for learning.

The Trees Found A Home In America’s First County Park

Branch Brook Park was special even before Caroline’s gift.

Built in 1867, it was the first county park in the United States, planned by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. , America’s top park designer.

The park covered 360 acres in Newark and nearby Belleville. The cherry trees fit nicely with the old-style landscape of curving paths, lakes, and bridges.

Caroline’s gift added a new cultural touch to an already loved public space.

Gardeners Added More Varieties Over The Decades

The cherry tree collection grew bigger and more diverse over time. Today, Branch Brook Park has more than 5,000 cherry trees with 18 different types.

Park workers added new kinds to make the blooming season longer and create more visual appeal. Some types bloom early with dark pink flowers, while others make white blossoms later in spring.

Regular care includes pruning, disease control, and replacing old trees to keep the collection healthy for future visitors.

Spring Brings Thousands To Newark’s Pink Paradise

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival started small but grew into a major event. Each April, thousands visit Branch Brook Park when the trees reach full bloom.

Families enjoy picnics under pink trees while photographers snap pictures of the stunning display. The festival now includes 10K runs, bike races, concerts, and Japanese cultural shows.

Local shops benefit from the tourism boost during blossom season, bringing money into Newark.

One Woman’s Vision Created America’s Largest Cherry Tree Display

Caroline’s gift continues to bloom nearly a century later.

Branch Brook Park now holds the largest collection of cherry trees in the United States, surpassing even Washington DC’s more famous display. The trees provide beauty, shade, and habitat for wildlife.

They’ve become a symbol of Newark’s resilience and renewal.

What started as one woman’s appreciation for Japanese cherry blossoms turned into an enduring legacy that transforms an urban park into a magical landscape each spring, showing how a single act of generosity can benefit countless people for generations.

Visiting Branch Brook Park, New Jersey

Branch Brook Park at 115 Clifton Avenue in Newark has America’s largest collection of cherry trees with over 5,300 trees in 18 varieties, thanks to Caroline Bamberger Fuld’s 1927 donation. The park is free and open daily from sunrise to 10 PM.

Visit during April’s Cherry Blossom Festival for cultural events, or join Cherry Blossom Talks on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Welcome Center.

You can also take a historic audio tour year-round by calling (973) 433-9047.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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