Spring Cherry Blossoms: Peak Bloom Cherry Tree Flowers Attract Visitors To Parks Around The World [PHOTOS]

While spring may have officially started at the end of March for the Northern Hemisphere, there’s no better indicator that the warmer season has finally arrived than the blooming of cherry blossoms in April, which can be seen all over the globe.

Cherry blossoms, which bloom from trees native to East Asia and belong to the Prunus category of trees and shrubs, are usually most prominently associated with Japan. The blooms attract tourists from Seoul, Tokyo, Washington, London and other cities.

The Japanese cherry trees first appeared in the United States in 1912 along the Tidal Basin, a partially man-made reservoir that is part of the West Potomac Park and the focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring in the nation's capital. Japan made a gift of 2,000 cherry trees to the U.S. in 1910, but unfortunately they had to be destroyed because of infestations from nematodes, or roundworms, and other insects. The destroyed trees were eventually replaced with 3,020 new ones, which were planted along the Tidal Basin and the White House grounds.

Further east in Korea, cherry blossom spectators were seen surrounding themselves with the fresh spring flowers in the Seoul National Cemetery. In Japan, cherry blossoms festivals are being held throughout the country as the cherry blossoms continue to bloom.

In the U.S. capital, the flowers are already in their peak bloom state, making this weekend one of the best times to see the blossoms, the National Park Service said. But don't wait too long. Frost and cold weather can shorten the blooming period, which can last as long as two weeks.

Take a closer look at cherry blossoms blooming all over the world in the photos below.