Why Is February National Cherry Month?
Short answer: February is National Cherry Month because Michigan Governor William G. Milliken proclaimed it, and because the month already belonged to the cherry: it holds George Washington’s birthday and his famous cherry tree legend, and it’s when the buds on Washington, D.C.’s gift cherry trees start to stir.
It started with a Michigan proclamation
Michigan grows most of the nation’s tart cherries, so it’s fitting that a Michigan governor, William G. Milliken, was the first to proclaim February as National Cherry Month. The idea was simple: give people a reason to enjoy cherries in the middle of winter, long after the July harvest.
George Washington and the cherry tree
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Almost every American knows the story of young George chopping down his father’s cherry tree and confessing, “I cannot tell a lie.” Historians agree the tale was invented by his early biographer, Mason Locke Weems, but it tied the cherry to Washington, and to February, for good.
A single cherry tree can produce thousands of cherries, but one made-up story about one tree made the cherry an American icon.
A gift of 3,000 cherry trees
In 1912, the city of Tokyo gave Washington, D.C. about 3,000 cherry trees as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. Those ornamental trees grow blossoms, not fruit, but they gave the country a springtime cherry tradition that still draws crowds today.
How to celebrate this February
Bake a cherry pie for National Cherry Pie Day on February 20.
Stir dried tart cherries into oatmeal, salads or trail mix.
Share the true story of Washington’s cherry tree on Presidents’ Day.
Post your cherry creations with #NationalCherryMonth.
Looking for ideas? Browse our cherry recipes or get the free cherry cookbook.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Cherry Month?
National Cherry Month runs all of February, from February 1 through February 28 in 2027.
Who started National Cherry Month?
Michigan Governor William G. Milliken was the first to proclaim February as National Cherry Month.
Is the George Washington cherry tree story true?
No. Historians trace it to biographer Mason Locke Weems, who invented it to illustrate Washington’s honesty.
Is National Cherry Month the same as the National Cherry Festival?
No. National Cherry Month is in February. The National Cherry Festival is a summer event held in Traverse City, Michigan, around the cherry harvest.
About the author: Andy LaPointe founded NationalCherryMonth.com and co-founded Traverse Bay Farms, a family-owned Northern Michigan tart cherry company, in 2001.
