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Rosaceae
Prunus x yedoenis 'Somei-yoshino'
Specimen Size: 37.7ft tall, 32.25in in diameter.
Location: Lining the quad on all sides, the famous cherry trees of the University of Washington.
Historical Background: The Yoshino cherry tree originated around 1870 in Tokyo as a natural hybrid. Some of the most famous here in the United States are the specimens planted around Washington D.C., a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo in the year 1912. According to Japanese history, flowering Cherries were first cultivated 1300 years ago when Enno Gyoja, founder of the Shugendo religion carved a deity from a cherry tree on a mountain. The blossoms of cherry trees are edible and are often pickled and then made into a tea and drunk at festivals such as weddings. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves, and a dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit.
The UW Quad Cherry Trees have their own story. Accounts of their specific origin vary, but it seems that they came from Japan to the Washington Park Arboretum some time during the 1930s. However, these specimens were not able to live out their lives peaceful in the site of their original planting at the lower end of the Arboretum. Instead, when the 1960's rolled around, the construction of the 520 freeway began mowing a path straight towards these trees. Fortunately, these trees were saved by the expedient of moving them to the UW Quad, where they have remained ever since! At the time of their planting, these trees were likely about 30 years old at that time, making their current age greater than 90 years. Their inflorescence is now unrivaled anywhere else in the city, and the thousands of visitors to the quad each spring speak to this popularity. For more of the history behind these trees, consider this podcast featuring UW PhD candidate and cherry tree researcher Marlee Theil, or this thesis produced by alum Yuki Shiotani.
Non-native
Native Range: Japan
Identifying Features: If there is one tree that many know of at the University of Washington, it is the Yoshino Cherry. Internationally famous, the white blossoms of these trees attract massive crowds of visitors each spring as they line the quad with a cloak of snowlike flowers, which appear on the trees before the leaves and are mesmerizing and surreal to look upon. These trees along the quad were planted in 1936, and so are extremely large examples of this ornamental cross. They can grow to a height of 50’ (15m), and produce no fruit on our trees (however on others they may produce small pubescent red bodies that are bitter and not anything like the cherries one's palate is accustomed to). The Bark is a dark grey, almost black on our older trees, but is more often a light grey which may be seen on younger trees in the quad. Due to the special status of these trees and large amounts of tourists who visit them each year, it is recommended that people not climb on them as the number of visitors would lead to damage of these beautiful specimens if a significant number of people were to do so.
Identifying Features In Depth:
Form: Low and very spreading crown becoming rounder and broader in older trees. Twisting short trunks give way to spreading branches rising to about 50’ (15m) in height.
Leaves: Leaves of this tree are ovate tapering to a point, with forward pointing toothed margins and a slender hairy shoot. They are a fresh green color and up to abut 6” (15cm) in length.
Bark: On young trees a smooth grey, often with small darker horizontal lines, turning into a dark grey and gnarled growth with age. The young and the old may both be seen here on the quad where several clones are growing to replace older trees which have been lost.
Reproductive Bodies: The brilliant white flowers these trees are known for are about 3.5 cm wide, set in clusters of 5-6 and appearing in mid spring before leafing occurs. The buds are a deep pink but the small petals of 5 are white in color. They are scented somewhat like almonds, and can give rise to small (1cm) pubescent fruit which is not palatable and is often lacking on these older trees. Blossoms are in fact edible and may be brewed into teas.
Below is the description found for this species on the original Brockman Memorial Tree Tour:
Historic Tree Tour Information: Enter the Quad and you now behold the Yoshino cherries. This locally famous planting brings the campus joy every March or early April, as the dark trunks and branches blossom with millions of white or faintest pink flowers. Photographers mill about, people have picnics, everyone smiles. These trees were moved here from the arboretum because of highway construction; their loss was our gain.
Yoshino cherry originated around 1870 in Tokyo as a natural hybrid. It grows larger than most flowering cherries, and sets some fruit, albeit small and plain. Later in spring you can see Hisakura cherries open their pinker, larger flowers.
The blossoms of cherry trees are edible and are often pickled and then made into a tea and drunk at festivals such as weddings. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves, and a dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit.
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