SEATTLE — One of Washingtonians' favorite signs of spring is here, as cherry blossom season has returned on the campus of the University of Washington.
When can I see the cherry blossoms?
According to the university, the 29 Yoshino cherry trees in the UW Quad are already starting to bloom. Peak bloom for the trees varies every year based on the weather, but this year, they are right on schedule. The trees are expected to be in peak bloom, meaning 70% of buds have emerged, starting March 20.
According to UW arborist Sara Shores, the last two weekends in March will be the most ideal.
“Historically, peak bloom in the Quad typically begins during the third full week of March and goes into the fourth week of March. That seems to be what this year is going to look like,” Shores said in a press release.
The weather does impact how long the blooms last. According to UW, the blooms do best in cooler temperatures, with less rain and lighter winds.
Due to the high level of interest in the cherry blossoms, UW urges visitors to take public transportation. Those who drive are advised to park in the Padelford and Central Plaza parking garages.
For those who can't make the trip, the university live streams the trees from multiple viewpoints on its website.
2024 U District Cherry Blossom Festival
The third annual festival celebrating the cherry blossoms will begin on March 16 and run through April 1.
In addition to walking through the trees, attendees can enjoy blossom-themed food, drinks and activities. Over 80 businesses in the area will provide themed menu items.
The Seattle Cherry Blossom Run will lead runners through the Burke-Gilman Trail and around the UW campus.
For more information about the 2024 U District Cherry Blossom Festival, visit the U District's website.
Why are there cherry blossom trees in Seattle?
The trees in the university's Quad are Yoshino cherry trees and have been on the campus since 1964. The trees were originally planted in 1939 at the Washington Park Arboretum but were moved due to construction.
Japan donated cherry trees to Seattle in the 1930s, but it is hard to know if any of the trees at UW are related to the ones gifted. The 29 trees in the Quad are largely the original 1939 trees, making them over 80 years old. As of March 2022, only three of the cherry trees in the quad had been replaced by newer trees.
The beloved Quad cherry trees are not the only cherry trees visitors can see around UW. The university has nearly 100 cherry trees on its campus, and not all of them are Yoshino trees. The campus is home to a variety of types of cherry trees, including Higan, Hisakura, Kwanzan, Mt. Fuji, and Shirofugen. The different types of cherry trees change the color, size, and number of blossoms.