[March 26 update: Peak bloom is set to continue at least through the weekend of March 30-31, according to 91探花arborist Sara Shores. “The cool weather is helping now,” said Shores. “I believe the blooms will be hanging on into the weekend. The leaves are close and once the leaves begin [to emerge], the blooms are harder to see.”]

[March 20 update: As peak bloom continues, this post was updated to include a video about an ongoing study of the 91探花cherry trees and the headline was changed from “ 91探花cherry blossoms set for peak bloom in late March” to “Video: Predicting cherry tree bloom timing at the UW”]

[March 19 update: Cherry trees in the 91探花Quad are at approximately 70% bloom and have entered “peak bloom” stage. “If the weather stays cool, with little wind or rain, the bloom should last about two weeks,” said Autumn Maust, a 91探花doctoral student in environmental and forest sciences.]

[March 18 update: Thanks to unseasonably warm weather over the weekend, approximately 50-60% of buds on the 91探花Quad cherry trees are now in bloom, with peak bloom expected to begin by March 19 at the latest.]

[March 15 update:?All trees in the Quad now have pink buds with some florets visible. Approximately 2% of buds on the 91探花Quad cherry trees are now in bloom.]

[March 13 update: All cherry trees in the Quad are now at the “peduncle elongation” stage of bud development, during which the stalks supporting the florets grow longer. It is one of the last stages before the florets open.]

Cherry trees on the 91探花’s Seattle campus are waking up and getting ready to say hello. For the 29 iconic Yoshino cherry trees in the 91探花Quad, peak bloom will likely begin after March 20, according to 91探花arborist Sara Shores.

“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,” said Shores. “Right now, I would guess that the last two weekends of March are ideal viewing conditions.”

This post will be updated with the latest estimates, which could change based on weather conditions.

Cherry tree fans don’t have to wait for peak bloom to visit campus. The entire cherry blossom season is a great time to visit and see the trees in bloom.? The 91探花maintains a visitors’ website dedicated to the school’s cherry blossoms, providing tips for getting to campus and maximizing the tree-viewing experience. The site has updates on the status of the blooms as well as details on transportation, activities and amenities. The Quad cherry blossoms also have their own social media accounts on and , formerly Twitter. For cherry tree enthusiasts who can’t make the trip, campus webcams are a good option for virtual viewing.

The timing for peak bloom — meaning 70% of buds have emerged — varies each year based on weather conditions that the developing buds are exposed to in January, February and March.

“In order to reach peak bloom, buds need to accumulate a certain number of both cold and warm days, known as ‘growing degree days,’” said Marlee Theil, a 91探花graduate student in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.

As of March 8, just over half of the cherry trees in the Quad were at the “peduncle elongation” stage of bud development, during which the stalks supporting the florets grow longer. It is one of the last stages before the florets open and the bloom season begins. The remaining cherry trees in the Quad are also progressing normally, albeit one or two days behind.

Since 2018, a 91探花research group has been?monitoring campus blossoms?from January to April with the goal of creating a model that will use weather data to predict the timing of peak bloom. Theil currently leads the monitoring team of more than 20 undergraduates.

“The data that we gather will not just help us know in future years when to come to campus to enjoy the trees,” said Theil. “This will also be a valuable research tool to understand how these trees respond to changing environmental conditions.”

There are more than 100 cherry trees on campus. The main species is Yoshino, including the trees in the Quad. Other varieties include the Higan, Hisakura, Kwanzan, Mt. Fuji and Shirofugen trees that can be viewed at?locations across campus. The Yoshino trees bloom earlier than many of the other species.

“Even as bloom season wanes for the Yoshino trees in early April, other trees on campus will be starting,” said Shores.

How long blossoms will remain on the trees this year depends on the weather. Cooler temperatures, less rain and lighter winds all will help keep blossoms on the trees.

For those who wish to avoid crowds on the Quad, visiting on weekdays and in the early mornings are better options. The 91探花asks that visitors not climb the trees, move their branches or shake their branches, as this can cause damage.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos by using the??hashtag.

For media inquiries about the cherry trees, contact James Urton at jurton@uw.edu or 206-543-2580. For broadcast media, and from past years are available.

[April 5 update: The cherry trees in the 91探花Quad have reached 100% bloom, where all buds have erupted with petals.]

[April 3 update: Approximately 90% of the buds in the 91探花Quad have bloomed. Cooler weather will help preserve the blossoms, though heavy rain or wind will knock off petals. 91探花arborists estimate the trees will remain above 80% bloom through the weekend of April 8-9.]

[March 31 update: The trees in the 91探花Quad have surpassed 70% bloom, so they have reached “peak bloom.”]

[March 29 update: The 91探花Quad cherry trees are at 50% bloom, and are on track to reach peak bloom this weekend.]

[March 27 update: The cherry trees in the 91探花Quad are now at an estimated 25% bloom, and rapidly increasing with the warmer weather.]

[March 21 update: The trees now have pink buds with some florets visible. An estimated 5% of buds on the 91探花Quad cherry trees are now in bloom.]

The cherry blossoms at the 91探花 campus are a seasonal tradition and celebration for the entire region. This year’s colder-than-usual spring is demanding a little more patience. Mark your calendars and plan your visit for a peak bloom expected in early April.

“The cold snap has delayed the blooms slightly, but I don’t anticipate any damage to the blossoms as a result of the cold weather,” said , the 91探花campus arborist.

As of March 15, the cherry trees in the 91探花Quad are mostly green buds and a few florets, where the folded-up petals are emerging. The trees will likely hit 10% bloom, meaning one in every 10 buds has erupted in pink or white blossoms, the week of March 20. Shores estimates that the trees will reach peak bloom — when 70% of the buds have emerged — in early April. This post will be updated with the latest estimates.

A dedicated to the 91探花cherry blossoms provides tips for coming to campus and for maximizing the tree-viewing experience. The site has updates on the current status of the blooms as well as details on transportation, activities, amenities, nearby food options and even new cherry-themed merchandise.

Those who prefer to avoid crowds may want to visit the Quad on weekdays and in the early mornings. Others may appreciate being around fellow cherry-blossom aficionados, especially after the quieter years of 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.

The main species of cherry tree on the 91探花campus is Yoshino, including the 29 iconic trees in the Quad. Other varieties include the Higan, Hisakura, Kwanzan, Mt. Fuji and Shirofugen trees that can be viewed at locations across campus.

A 91探花research group has been monitoring campus blossoms from January to April since 2018 with the goal of creating a model that will use weather data to predict the timing of peak bloom. Autumn Maust, a 91探花doctoral student in environmental and forest sciences, currently leads the 14 undergraduates on the monitoring team.

“I personally enjoy strolling through the Quad during peak bloom in the evening,” Maust said. “There is typically less foot traffic, and seeing the trees lit up at night is very peaceful.”

How long blossoms will remain on the trees this year depends on the weather. Cooler temperatures, less rain and lighter winds all will help keep blossoms on the trees. The university asks that visitors not climb the trees or shake their branches, as this can cause damage.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos by using the hashtag.

For media questions about the cherry trees, contact Hannah Hickey at hickeyh@uw.edu. Broadcast media: is available for download. are also available.

4/1/22 update: Traffic congestion on campus is significant during cherry blossoms season and parking is limited. Please take light rail to the University District Station or park in the or .

The 29 cherry trees in the Quad usually reach peak bloom the third week of March, said 91探花arborist , and this year is on track to meet that timing. Warmer temperatures and mild weather all factor into when the cherry trees start to blossom and when they reach peak bloom.

Virtual viewing options are also available, including 91探花Video’s live webcam overlooking the Quad, a?virtual tour?with photos from campus and tweets from . Hear Shores explain how a cherry tree functions in this interactive “anatomy of a cherry tree” illustration:

Once the trees reach peak bloom — when at least 70% of the blossoms have emerged — cooler temperatures, drier weather and lighter winds will keep the blossoms on the trees longer. The university asks that visitors not climb the trees or shake their branches, as this can cause damage.

Dozens of varieties of blossoming cherry and plum trees can be found across the Seattle area, with blooms visible from early February until, for some species, May. Petal colors range from white to light rose to dark pink, and cherry trees — unlike plums — have distinct horizontal-line patterns on their bark called . These help the trees “exhale” or release carbon dioxide and water.

Plum trees, which often are mistaken for cherry trees, bloom earlier than most cherries and don’t have lenticels on their bark.

The Seattle Department of Transportation maintains this of trees across the city. To see cherry trees in your neighborhood, click on “Explore street trees” in the top navigation bar, then click on “trees by type” and look for trees with the “Prunus” genus (cherry and plum trees).

For more information on the 91探花campus cherry blossoms, contact Michelle Ma at mcma@uw.edu.

91探花arborist Sara Shores recommends looking for cherry blossoms in your local parks and neighborhood streets. There are dozens of different varieties of blossoming cherry and plum trees in the Seattle area, with blooms visible from early February until May, for some species.

Bloom colors range from white to light rose to dark pink, and cherry trees — unlike plums — have distinct horizontal-line patterns on their bark called?. These help the trees “exhale” or release carbon dioxide and water.

Plum trees, which often are mistaken for cherry trees, bloom earlier than most cherries and don’t have lenticels on their bark.

Many of the earliest-flowering pink trees each spring are plums, Shores said. She recommends checking the bark to verify. Plum flowers also tend to smell sweeter than cherry flowers.

More information here.

###

Kiyomi Taguchi?ktaguchi@uw.edu?/ 206-685-2716

Viewing options

A number of virtual viewing options are available, including 91探花Video’s live webcam overlooking the Quad, a?virtual tour with photos from campus that will be updated throughout the blooming season and tweets from .

live webcam
Virtual tour

91探花News will not track full bloom timing this year due to the pandemic. Please avoid coming to campus to see the cherry blossoms and instead enjoy them virtually. Campus buildings along the Quad are closed to the public and restrooms are not available.

Identifying cherry blossoms

Many of the earliest-flowering pink trees each spring are plums, Shores said. She recommends checking the bark to verify. Plum flowers also tend to smell sweeter than cherry flowers.

Find cherry blossoms in your neighborhood

The Seattle Department of Transportation maintains this of trees across the city. To see cherry trees in your neighborhood, click on “Explore street trees” in the top navigation bar, then click on “trees by type” and look for trees with the “Prunus” genus (cherry and plum trees).

Virtually tour the blossoms on campus

There are several options to enjoy the blossoms virtually this year: 91探花Video’s live webcam | Facebook photo album | 91探花Video’s Aerial footage| Follow on Twitter

91探花Video’s live blossom camera

In case the video above is unavailable, check out 91探花Video’s page here.

Facebook album

Aerial footage

ORIGINAL POST on March 5: A relatively mild winter in the Seattle area means the iconic cherry trees in the 91探花 Quad are on track for a typical bloom season.

The trees likely will reach peak bloom in late March, said , a 91探花doctoral student in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences who leads a team of undergraduates collecting data on bloom timing.

The buds appear to be progressing a few days ahead of last year’s timing, Bradshaw said, according to the data that students have been collecting since early February. Warmer temperatures and sunlight usually influence bloom timing each year.

Once the trees reach peak bloom — when at least 70% of the blossoms have emerged — cooler temperatures, dry weather and low wind will keep the blossoms on the trees longer, he explained.

The cherry trees in the Quad, “Somei-yoshino,” are particularly striking when they reach full bloom because unlike many other flowering tree species, their white-pink blossoms take center stage before the leaves start filling in.

“Something that’s really special about these trees compared with other cherry trees is they bloom before their leaves are out, and that’s such a beautiful thing to see,” said Bradshaw, who also works as a pest management coordinator with the UW’s grounds maintenance team. “It’s amazing to see these massive trees with only their blooms out.”

The 29 large cherry trees in the Quad are about 87 years old and healthy, said campus arborist Sara Shores.

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??written by Yuki Shiotani, a student at Waseda University in Tokyo who studied at the 91探花as an exchange student.

This is the second year that Bradshaw has enlisted the help of about 10 undergraduate students to collect data on bloom timing for the 118 cherry trees across campus, including the Quad trees. The students visit each tree at least twice a week on average, taking photos and noting which of the five bloom stages the trees appear to be in, and how much of that stage is complete.

The goal is to gather enough data year after year to build a model that will help predict peak bloom timing, similar to the success Washington, D.C. has had with its model.

“We’re hoping to better track when they will bloom, and in the future align our data with weather data to be able to answer how much temperature and weather are dictating when they bloom,” Bradshaw said.

The iconic cherry trees in the 91探花’s Quad reached peak bloom March 29, and this weekend will be prime viewing to see the blossoms. Peak bloom is when at least 70 percent of the blossoms have emerged.

The amount of daylight and favorable temperatures are the two most important factors that determine bloom timing, said Sara Shores, 91探花arborist. If it stays cool, with little rain or wind, the blossoms could stay on the trees for as long as two or three weeks.
Peak bloom is about a week or two later than usual, probably because of the record-breaking snowstorm and cooler temperatures this winter, Shores said.

The 29 large cherry trees in the Quad are about 86 years old and healthy. 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.

Read more:

Contact: Kiyomi Taguchi, 91探花News video producer: ktaguchi@uw.edu or 206-685-2716

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 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 91探花’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.”

The trees are expected to reach peak bloom the third week of March this year. How does that compare to previous years?

Take a look! ?

More info on this year's bloom:

— 91探花News (@uwnews)

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.

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 written by Yuki Shiotani, a student at Waseda University in Tokyo who studied at the 91探花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 91探花News, follow on Twitter or visit the UW’s . For information about visiting campus to see the blossoms, contact the 91探花Visitors Center at uwvic@uw.edu or 206-543-9198.

Updated 3/27/18

The Quad cherry trees have reached full bloom. The blossoms may hold for yet another weekend of good viewing.

Updated 3/23/18

The trees are about 80 percent in bloom, and the petals are holding on despite the rainstorm this morning. This weekend will be good viewing for visitors.

Updated 3/16/18

The trees are about 30 percent in bloom, and full bloom is expected midweek. The blossoms should be in top form for visitors both this weekend and next, according to 91探花arborist Sara Shores.

Updated 3/12/18

The trees likely will reach full bloom five to 10 days from now, after warmth and sunshine over the weekend boosted blossom development. Only about 1 percent of the blossoms have actually emerged across the Quad, but the buds have advanced quickly over the last several days and the trees will near full bloom by the weekend.

Updated 3/7/18

Continued cold temperatures and rain last week have kept the blossoms?from emerging on?the Quad trees, but the buds are starting to show signs of the upcoming bloom. It’s hard to tell with an untrained eye, but the buds are more rounded and fuller than before, and a green tip is visible at the top of each bud.

Peak bloom typically happens 16 to 21 days after this stage, so if we get warm, sunny weather as predicted, peak bloom could still happen two weeks from now. That’s the week of March 19, which is?UW’s spring break week.

Original story posted 2/23/18

With snow falling in the Puget Sound region this week, it’s hard to imagine cherry trees in bloom. But assuming temperatures return to normal soon, this year’s cherry blossoms are on track for a typical season.

Parking
Cherry blossom viewers should park in and follow the signs to walk to the Quad

Blossoms on the iconic 91探花 Quad cherry trees will begin emerging soon, with full bloom expected the week of March 19, said 91探花arborist Sara Shores.

Bloom timing varies each year and depends mostly on the amount of daylight and consistency of temperatures. If we have a stretch of days reaching over 50 degrees F, that bodes well for blooming. Alternatively, if it gets colder for a longer stretch, the blooming will stall.

Last year, the trees in the Quad reached full bloom the week of March 26, within the typical timeframe. The two years before that, however, the blooms were early.

“For getting to full bloom, it’s all about temperature and light,” Shores said. “If we get a streak of really warm, sunny days, they will come earlier for sure.”

The iconic Yoshino cherry trees in the Quad are nearly 90 years old and in good health for their age. The trees were first planted in the Washington Park Arboretum in 1936, and about 25 years later, they were moved to the 91探花Quad to make way for the Highway 520 bridge construction.

Arborists recently took cuttings of the Quad cherry trees and raised about a dozen genetically identical clones that are planted around campus and in the arboretum. The biggest cluster is located on Parrington Lawn, just east of 15^th Ave. NE at NE 42^nd St. These trees should bloom at the same time as the Quad trees and represent the next generation of Yoshino cherry trees on campus.

Across campus,?there are more than 250 cherry trees of different varieties blooming at different times. Large trees near Gerberding Hall will flower several weeks after the Quad trees, and 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.

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

The 91探花is to help care for, and eventually replace, the aging Quad cherry trees.

For the latest cherry tree updates, check , follow on Twitter or visit the UW’s . For information about visiting campus to see the blossoms, contact the 91探花Visitors Center at uwvic@uw.edu or 206-543-9198.

91探花Quad livestream. Credit: 91探花Video

Updated April 11, 2017

Did the wind blow away the Quad cherry blossoms before you got a chance to check them out in person? Don’t fret, the next major round of blooming on campus is underway.

Bloom times vary for the different species of cherry blossoms around campus. Next up are the trees?outside Gerberding Hall. Rainier Vista offers an even more spectacular backdrop for these springtime favorites.

Click on the map to the left to see where else on campus cherry blossoms can be found.

Temperatures cold enough for snow in Seattle have delayed the 91探花 cherry blossoms that usually begin peeking out in late February. But don’t worry ― the trees are just enjoying a longer winter rest before the bustle of spring.

The small flowers have started bursting from their buds, and full bloom for the trees in the Quad is expected the first weekend in April, said 91探花arborist Sara Shores.

Bloom timing varies each year and depends mostly on the amount of daylight and consistency of temperatures. If we have a stretch of days reaching over 50 degrees F, that bodes well for blooming. Alternatively, if it gets colder for a longer stretch, the blooming will stall.

Flowers came out earlier than usual the , Shores said, but this year’s later start is still within the normal range. Last year the trees reached full bloom by March 11.

“I think it’s the cooler temperatures that are stalling them right now,” Shores said. “The buds are all there but I haven’t seen them do anything yet.”

The iconic cherry trees in the Quad are over 80 years old and in good health for their age. The trees were moved from a location near the Montlake Bridge and planted in the Quad in the 1960s when they were already at least 20 years old.

Aside from the iconic Quad trees, you 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, and 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.

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

“Everyone should see the trees in bloom at least once,” Shores said.

Watch?a live stream of the cherry trees in the Quad. Credit: 91探花Video

For the latest cherry tree updates, check , follow on Twitter or visit the UW’s . For information about visiting campus, contact the 91探花 at uwvic@uw.edu or 206-543-9198.