UW VG 2024-25 DM Accessible - Flipbook - Page 16
Signs of the
season
By Alex Visser and Kaavya Bajaj
AD
Lucy Hopkinson
The famous cherry blossoms that decorate the Quad
have come to symbolize many things for UW students:
a promise of summer, new beginnings, and a touch of
home. Each spring, the Seattle campus bursts into life
as daffodils, crocuses, and cherry blossoms bloom,
transforming the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of
colors and scents.
The cherry trees in the Quad are more than just a
pretty sight; they represent a sense of community and
togetherness. Every year, thousands of UW students,
alumni, and friends gather to bask in their beauty. These
gatherings are not just for photos4they9re a celebration
of the changing seasons and a reminder of life's cycles
that these blossoms so beautifully represent.
The cherry blossoms have a rich history at UW. They
arrived in 1936 as a gift from Japan and were originally
16 | History
planted at the Washington Park Arboretum. However,
when the construction of the State Route 5209s Evergreen
Point Floating Bridge began, the trees were relocated to
the UW campus in 1962. There were fears that the move
might prevent them from blooming, but those worries
were put to rest that spring when the Quad was filled with
their pink radiance for the first time. Over half a century
later, the trees continue to bloom without fail, captivating
new generations of students and visitors.
However, these trees won't last forever. There will come
a time when the blossoms will fade, and the trees will
die. Future generations of UW students might not get to
experience their beauty firsthand. This makes the annual
spectacle even more precious, reminding us to cherish
these moments of beauty while we can.
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