UW News

cherry blossoms


March 8, 2024

Video: Predicting cherry tree bloom timing at the UW

Cherry trees on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus are waking up and getting ready to say hello. For the 29 iconic Yoshino cherry trees in the UW Quad, peak bloom will likely begin after March 20.


March 15, 2023

Cherry blossoms get new visitors’ website, are on track for early April peak bloom

The cherry blossoms at the University of Washington 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.


March 10, 2022

UW welcomes community to view cherry blossoms; peak bloom expected mid-March

full bloom expected mid-march for cherry blossoms

The 29 cherry trees in the Quad usually reach peak bloom the third week of March, and this year is on track to meet that timing.


March 8, 2021

Watch the UW cherry blossoms virtually this year and avoid coming to campus due to COVID-19

up-close shot of blossoms on a cherry tree

The University of Washington once again is asking people to enjoy the iconic campus cherry blossoms virtually this year to promote physical distancing and safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.


May 15, 2020

Staff feature: What it’s like to photograph the stories of a quiet university campus and bustling medical center amid a pandemic

Fountain with light streaming in through the water

One of the essential roles that is often not seen is the work of our campus photographers. They continue to capture the visual stories and people on campus in a time when many of us aren’t there to see them ourselves. UW News asked one of our campus photographers to share some of his favorite photos he’s taken this spring, and to describe what it’s like working on campus now.


March 5, 2020

Visitors should avoid coming to UW campus to see cherry blossoms amid COVID-19 outbreak

blossoms up close

The University is asking people to avoid coming to campus this year to comply with Gov. Inslee’s March 11 proclamation that prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people as our region combats the spread of COVID-19.


April 1, 2019

UW students spearhead efforts to predict peak bloom for cherry trees

collecting data

A team of UW students hopes to make it possible to accurately predict peak bloom timing for the iconic Quad cherry trees.


March 29, 2019

Soundbites: UW Quad cherry blossoms reach peak bloom

UW arborist Sara Shores explains that the iconic cherry trees in the University of Washington’s Quad have reached peak bloom, and this weekend will be prime viewing to see the blossoms.


February 21, 2019

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

Cherry blossoms on March 12.

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.


February 23, 2018

Despite snow in Seattle, cherry blossoms on track for typical season

Cherry blossoms near Suzzallo Library and Gerberding Hall on the UW campus in 2017.

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 bloom season. Full bloom is expected the week of March 19.


March 7, 2017

Round 2 of UW cherry blossom season is underway

Cherry trees in full bloom last spring.

Full bloom for the iconic cherry trees in the UW’s Quad is expected the week of March 26, 2017.


February 26, 2016

2016 UW cherry blossom watch: 100 percent in bloom

Cherry trees in the Quad, March 10, 2016.

The cherry trees in the Quad at UW will likely be in full bloom the week of March 14.


March 13, 2015

2015 UW cherry tree watch: Full bloom by March 14

Blossom update: 100 percent in bloom as of March 14. Follow @uwcherryblossom for more info. The cherry trees in the Quad at the UW reached full bloom March 14. Exact timing always depends on the weather — if we have sunny, warm days, the trees reach full bloom faster, but colder weather stretches out the timing. Still, full bloom…


May 15, 2014

News Digest: New cherry trees, Mushroom May-nia, autism assessments, Honor: Daily staff

Compiled by the Office of News and Information.


March 13, 2014

2014 UW cherry tree watch, March 21 update: Bloom at 100 percent

The cherry trees in the Quad are at about 75 percent of their full bloom, according to the UW arborist.


March 20, 2013

Update April 3, 2013 cherry blossom watch: Quad in full bloom

Cherry blossoms in the UW quad.

The cold weather this week is delaying the blooming of cherry trees in the UW Quad.


March 22, 2012

Cherry blossom watch 2012: Any bloomin’ day now

Pedestrians walk under cherry trees in full bloom

The answer is: Any day now — probably by the weekend — and for about three weeks, depending on the weather. And dont worry, they’ll be spectacular. And of course the question is, when will the blossoms bloom?


March 19, 2012

D.C. cherry trees: Blooms won’t wait in warming world, UW research finds

Cherry trees in full bloom in our nation’s capital could be as much as four weeks earlier by 2080 depending on how much warming occurs. So says an analysis conducted at the University of Washington that relied on the UW’s own cherry trees as one test of a computer model used in the project.


March 10, 2005

Bloom time: Quad’s cherry trees go online

Nature may still dictate their delicate display, but the famous cherry trees on the Quad, in keeping with the times, have gone online.