Might the hands of Japanese secret service agents been in the creation of the Yoshino cherry tree? The tree’s origin is not as obvious as its voluminous blooms that now ring the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. It appears, though, that green-thumbed agents of the CIA-like Onmitsu had the opportunity, motive and ability to pull off the feat, according to researchers in Japan. See, Yoshino Shadow.