Toni’s Tips: Seattle’s Cherry Blossoms Signal Spring

The approach of spring in Seattle brings warmer days, more daylight, and a desire to spend more time outside. And, around the third week of March every year gives us a special gift; the arrival of cherry blossoms on trees throughout the city. No matter what is happening in our world, the cherry blossoms never disappoint us. We can watch the blossoms as they reach their full radiance, then fall to the ground, and disappear for another year. In Japanese tradition, the blossoms symbolize both the beauty and the transience of life.

The University of Washington’s Quad is ringed with approximately 30 Yoshino cherry trees set against Gothic brick buildings that house classrooms and offices. These trees were transplanted as adults from another location, so they are “senior citizens” in cherry tree time. Most of the year, they are ordinary trees, but in late March and early April they transform into a sweep of color that is anything but ordinary. If you are able to go to UW’s Seattle campus in late March, you will be rewarded by the spectacular sight of the cherry trees in bloom. If you aren’t able to make it to campus, but have access to a computer, go to washington.edu/video/campus-webcams to watch the blossoms gradually burst into full bloom.

There are cherry trees all over the city, both in city parks and in our West Seattle neighborhoods. Late March or early April is the perfect time to call a friend, grab a jacket, and head outside to contemplate these beautiful examples of nature’s gifts.