Why is February Called National Cherry Month?

In many parts of the country, February still brings snowy days and cold nights, however, February also brings us one month closer to the warmer weather of spring and summer and nothing says warm weather is approaching than blossoms on the trees, specifically, cherry trees.

February is rich in history and folklore about the little red super fruit – cherries. So let’s learn more about why February is called National Cherry Month.

• February earned the title of National Cherry Month because is includes both President’s Day,  Washington’s Birthday and Lincoln’s Birthday. The “alleged chopper of the cherry tree”, our first President is deeply rooted in folklore. When young George Washington’s father ask who chopped down a cherry tree on the family farm, the young Washington replied, “I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.” This event helped to link Washington and cherries forever to February.  And our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln also celebrates a birthday in February.
• The National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington DC is also in February. This is an annual event where millions of cherry blossoms can be seen throughout Washington DC.  The annual celebration started in 1912 when the people of Japan sent 3,000 cherry trees to the people of the United States to celebrate friendship between the two great nations.

Did you know…?

Each cherry tree grows enough cherries to produce 700 cherry pies.

Cherry trees start producing cherries 5 years after being planted. Cherry blossoms are only in bloom for a maximum of 2 weeks, and peak bloom only lasts a couple of days. The average cherry tree grows 7,000 cherries per year!

Bees are vital to pollinating cherry trees. It takes 30 -40 bees to pollinate a single cherry tree. Bee hives are often placed throughout commercial cherry orchards.

The Great Lakes state of Michigan is known as the Cherry capital of the World, where over 70% of all the tart cherries grown in the U.S. come from.

Cherry pits can be used in pellet stoves, so once you’re done eating the fruit, use the pits to heat your home during these chilly winter months!

And finally, Cherries are truly a superfood.  Famed for their anti-inflammatory superpowers, cherries are the hottest stone fruit on the block. In fact, a study was just released by the Oklahoma State University stating that the fruit may also help support strong bones and help alleviate arthritis symptoms over time. They’re also packed with anthocyanins, a powerful phytonutrient that jump-starts your immune system and gives cherries that gorgeous red hue.  Cherries are also a great natural source of melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy.

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Photo Credit:  Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com