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

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.

“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 Sara Shores, the UW campus arborist.

Can’t wait? The Quad’s two plum trees flower a bit earlier and by mid-March have already begun to bloom.

A new visitors’ website dedicated to the UW 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.

A UW 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 UW 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.”