Bloom, Baby, Bloom! The History of the Cherry Blossom Trees in Macon, GA
To understand why the Cherry Blossom Festival is so special, you also have to know the roots of the drivers and inspiration of it: William Fickling, Senior and Carolyn Crayton. This isn’t just a story of beautiful trees and people flocking to them, it’s the story of the heart of what makes our town great: its people and their love of service.
The Background Story
William Fickling would come to Macon by way of Reynolds, Georgia where his family owned a grist mill. He would later attend a pre-medical program at Emory at Oxford, later dropping out. He would take a job with Washington Dessau Realty: “he took a position as a rent collector and was assigned to some of the poorest neighborhoods in Macon, predominantly black. Seeing the conditions that existed in these neighborhoods was to make a lifetime impression on him. Years later he quietly supported the civil rights movement and the NAACP. Empathy for the plight of others, and quiet devotion to his chosen causes were characteristics that stayed with him for his entire life.” (Fickling Family papers) He would later start his own real estate business with Mr. B Sanders Walker, Jr.: Fickling & Walker.
“My grandfather built his house in 1949 on Ingleside Avenue, and he hired a landscaping company to help plant- because it was Bowman’s Dairy Farm before that. And they did a beautiful job landscaping.” Mr. Fickling’s grandson, Wm. A. Fickling, III would go on to say that they were supposed to plant southern dogwood- but got this mysterious pink flowering tree instead. Mr. Fickling visited Washington D.C. on business and would see the cherry blossom trees there- and discovered just what was in his own yard.
Other people would notice these cherry blossom trees and ask how they could get some, and since they weren’t available locally, Mr. Fickling would propagate them for his friends. “They began popping up all around town and kind of became a status symbol.”
Carolyn Crayton of Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission also noticed how beautiful they were and asked Mr. Fickling for 1,000 trees a year for 10 years- but Mr. Fickling instead gave her 10,000 trees. “I can remember being out there pulling and helping to hoe 10,000 trees. I can tell you in the summer that it was a lot of work!”
Mrs. Crayton would organize a mass planting in the Wesleyan Woods neighborhood and got Georgia Power to help dig the holes with their post hole diggers. “This was all volunteer labor- it was just a massive project. And the next year she came back to Grandpa and said ‘gee that was great- can I have more’?”
Today, the Fickling Family Foundation continues to support the festival, ensuring that his vision lives on. The trees symbolize international friendship and goodwill, much like the famous cherry blossoms gifted to Washington, D.C., from Japan in 1912 (Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon).
How Many are There?
While Macon proudly claims the title of the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World," some debate remains regarding whether the city truly has the most cherry trees. According to an interview with 13WMAZ, Carolyn Crayton said ““I’m not sure I can say it’s the world’s cherry blossom capital, however... I can tell you that we have given away 365,000 Yoshino cherry trees to this community,” Crayton said. “And we are excited that we have so many beautiful Yoshino trees right here in Macon, and we have shared them… everywhere.” (13WMAZ).
"The actual count of cherry trees is uncertain because no official registry exists, but the claim remains a cherished part of Macon’s identity" (13WMAZ).
Predicting The Blooms
But how to predict when the cherry blossom trees will bloom? There’s so much that goes into this, and a lot of it is up to Mother Nature with varying amounts of chill hours and such needs. With temperatures rising, there are efforts to create hybrids of our beloved Yoshino Cherry Blossom trees that can withstand the heat.
“I’ve been in touch with Kurobe City and another city in Japan, where they propagate the trees- and Tokyo and also the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. And so the National Arboretrum did a hybridization ,the old fashioned way, to [create] a cherry [blossom] tree which is more heat tolerant,” said William Fickling, III.
“Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful, in cooperation with many local, national and international agencies are investigating new varieties and hybrids that are more disease resistant, and better able to tolerate the heat. The leading contender is a Yoshino hybrid developed at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. named Helen Taft after the wife of President Taft who received the original gift of Yoshino trees from the wife of the Mayor of Tokyo Japan that are planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington. While these are presently in short supply, we hope to increase production of these disease resistant trees and restore the beautiful spring bloom we’ve all come to love and enjoy. Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful board member and Master Gardener Wayne Woodworth has launched a project to determine which varieties of cherry trees grow best in Macon. Please contact KMBB if you wish to donate to this effort.”
There’s so many people working behind the scenes to make sure that our cherry blossoms are just right for visitors and Maconites alike! Everyone from the folks with the Fickling Family Foundation, to the National Arboretum, to the Macon-Bibb Parks and Beautification.
Festival Highlights and Events
The Cherry Blossom Festival lasts ten days in March and features a schedule of events for all ages. Some attractions include:
- Parades and Fireworks: The festival kicks off with a grand parade featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and local performers. The celebrations continue with spectacular fireworks displays lighting up the Macon skyline.
- Concerts and Live Entertainment: Music lovers can enjoy live performances from both local and national artists, showcasing a variety of genres from country and jazz to rock and blues.
- Food and Craft Vendors: Visitors can indulge in delicious Southern cuisine and festival treats, including the famous pink cotton candy, cherry-flavored delicacies, and traditional fair favorites. Local artisans and crafters also showcase unique handmade goods and souvenirs.
- Amusement Rides and Family Activities: Carnival rides, games, and interactive exhibits ensure fun for families and children of all ages. The festival also features petting zoos, puppet shows, and storytelling sessions for younger visitors.
- Cherry Blossom Ball and Pink Pancake Breakfast: Among the festival’s signature events are the elegant Cherry Blossom Ball, a black-tie gala, and the community-favorite Pink Pancake Breakfast, where families gather to enjoy a delicious morning meal with a pink theme.
- Historical and Garden Tours: Guests can explore Macon’s rich history through guided tours of historic homes, gardens, and scenic cherry blossom-lined streets.
- Japanese Cultural Events: Since the Yoshino cherry tree has strong ties to Japan, the festival incorporates Japanese cultural elements such as tea ceremonies, origami workshops, and performances featuring traditional music and dance. These events help honor the tree’s origins and promote cultural appreciation.
- Cherry Blossom Royalty and Pageantry: The festival includes the crowning of the Cherry Blossom Queen, a tradition that celebrates young women in the community who exemplify leadership and service.
“In fact, if it weren’t for Carolyn Crayton, most of the world still wouldn’t know about the beauty of the trees here in Macon, and Grandpa’s donations of them. While Grandpa was understated and reserved, Carolyn was unabashedly proud of promoting the beauty of the trees whenever and however she could. Macon owes a great debt of gratitude to Carolyn for promoting the beauty of the trees, for promoting the beauty of Macon, and the success of the Cherry Blossom Festival,” (Fickling Family papers).
At the heart of this event there was the drive of one woman, not afraid to ask for more trees, and one man- who loved the trees and his town enough to keep giving.
Hand drawn notes from WIlliam Fickling, Senior used to determine the average peak bloom date. Mr, Fickling’s great granddaughter, Laurie Fickling, continues to keep track of the bloom dates yearly
