Quad cherry blossoms expected to peak end of March, if weather cooperates

Michelle Ma UW News

Updated 3/29/19:

The cherry blossoms in the Quad reached peak bloom today, and this weekend will be prime viewing to see the blossoms. Peak bloom is when at least 70 percent of the blossoms have emerged. If it stays cool, with little rain or wind, the blossoms could stay on the trees for as long as two or three weeks.

Updated 3/28/19:

The blossoms in the Quad are 65 percent in bloom today. Expect peak bloom in the next few days, including over the weekend. See information in the original post below for viewing tips, where to park on campus and more.

Updated 3/26/19:

The cherry trees are about 40 percent in bloom as of March 26. Peak bloom is still expected this coming weekend.

Updated 3/25/19:

As of March 25, the cherry trees are at 25 percent bloom. Campus arborist Sara Shores said the trees are on track for peak viewing the weekend of March 30.

Updated 3/12/19:

The cherry trees in the Quad haven’t started blossoming yet, likely because of the unseasonably cool temperatures the last couple of weeks. With warmer weather expected later this week, the weekend of March 30 should be prime time for blossom viewing, and possibly as early as the weekend of March 23.

This post will be updated with more precise timing for peak bloom as information is available.

Original post on 2/21/19:

The Seattle area just endured record-setting snow and a string of unusual below-freezing temperatures, but Mother Nature will deliver on one important promise: The cherry blossoms are coming.

The iconic cherry trees in the University of Washington’s Quad will likely reach peak bloom the third week of March, right in line with most years. The cold temperatures this February might push back that timing slightly, but probably not by much, said campus arborist Sara Shores.

“Temperature and amount of sunlight are the big factors that determine bloom timing,” Shores said. “Once the trees reach peak bloom, then we hope that the temperatures drop and the air is fully still for two or three weeks. That will help the blossoms last longer.”

https://twitter.com/uwnews/status/1101950056523952128

The 29 large cherry trees in the Quad are about 86 years old and healthy, Shores said. Several smaller trees have been planted in the Quad over the years, and crews this year removed a small, younger cherry tree that was showing signs of severe decline, she added.

A number of other cherry trees live across campus, but the species in the Quad, “Somei-yoshino,” usually blooms before the others each season. Each species has its own typical bloom time.

Younger clones of the Quad cherry trees were planted in recent years along the pathway just south of the law school as well as several in the Washington Park Arboretum. These clones should bloom around the same time as the Quad cherry trees.

View UW Video’s live feed of the Quad

Read a new report (.pdf) about the UW cherry trees

Viewing tips from UW Facilities

Students collecting data to predict peak bloom

Download a map (.pdf) of all the cherry trees on campus, the best place to park and the best walking route to get to the blossoms from the parking lot

The Quad cherry trees were originally planted on arboretum land near Montlake Boulevard where Highway 520 passes through. They were moved to campus in 1962 when the highway’s construction required the trees to be relocated. These details, as well as more history on the cherry trees, are described in a recent report written by Yuki Shiotani, a student at Waseda University in Tokyo who studied at the UW as an exchange student.

Visitors can find other varieties of cherry trees blooming at different times around campus. Large trees near Gerberding Hall will flower several weeks after the Quad trees. Between Gerberding Hall and the Drumheller Fountain, a group of young trees will also blossom a little later.

Plum trees, which look similar, typically bloom before the cherries. Several trees are located near Suzzallo Library, along the southwest entrance to the Quad.

Visitors are asked to treat all of the trees with respect by not pulling on the blooming branches or climbing the tree limbs.

For the latest cherry tree updates, check UW News, follow @uwcherryblossom on Twitter or visit the UW’s Facebook page. For information about visiting campus to see the blossoms, contact the UW Visitors Center at uwvic@uw.edu or 206-543-9198.