Tis the season: A brief history of Seattle’s most popular cherry blossoms

Seattle’s cherry blossoms are one of the best and most beautiful parts of spring. The pink flowers are a much-needed reminder of better days to come after months of our city’s gloomy winter weather. But do you know the history of our city’s cherry blossom trees?

Each grove of trees in the city has its own history, but perhaps the two most famous patches are at Seattle Center and The University of Washington. The trees at Seattle Center are part of 1,000 trees that were gifted by Japan’s former Prime Minister, Takeo Miki in 1976. Today, they are well established and provide a beautiful backdrop among the center’s fountain and unique architecture.

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The trees at The University of Washington are Yoshino cherry trees, and they weren’t always where they are now.

According to UW, “The Quad’s signature Yoshino cherry trees are nearly 90 years old and were originally set in a grove at the Washington Park Arboretum. In early 1962, the University transplanted the trees to their current spot, bringing thousands of visitors to campus each spring to witness their rosy bloom.”

The U District Cherry Blossom Festival is on now, so be sure to check it out.

And Seattle’s Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival takes place on April 12th-14th at the Seattle Center. So you have time to celebrate the beauty of spring!