‘Tis Cherry Blossom Time!

In 1982 our young family moved from Seattle to an 8,000-tree cherry orchard in Eastern Washington—and the Chukar adventure began.

Late in January we arrived at the orchard where we quickly took on the mantle of cherry growers. A few weeks later, March was upon us. Hives of honeybees were strategically placed throughout the orchard to support pollination while their sweet hum blended with the early spring wind. Every day I watched as the tiny flower buds slowly opened and appeared to burst into full bloom.

Then as in now, it’s cherry blossom time! White blossom crowns are adorning the thousands of cherry trees in this spectacular, though fleeting wonder that graces the region.

What a strange thing!
To be alive
Beneath cherry blossoms!

-Issa

(Kobayashi Issa was a Japanese poet and Buddhist priest, one of the four haiku masters and renowned for his cherry blossom love quotes.)

Whether walking under the ornamental pink hues of ‘Sakura’ full blooms in Seattle this week and next (mid-March to early April)—or later viewing the delicate white blooms gracing Washington and Oregon’s cherry fruit orchards (mid to late April), cherry blossom time is upon us NOW—and blossoming awaits no one. 

This is the time to walk beneath the stunning flowers of Seattle’s ornamental cherry blossom trees viewed at Seattle streets and gardens with notable viewings on Azalea Way in Washington Park Arboretum, the lakeside drive between Mt. Baker and Seward Park, in Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill, and most notably the University of Washington “Quad” where the 29 Japanese cherry trees surrounding the plaza is spectacular.

(photo courtesy of @uwnews)

Some of these stupendous trees are 80 years old. The Quad Plaza is open to the public, a short walk from many bus routes and accessed by both Husky Stadium and U District light rail stations. Protocol: Do not touch the trees; take only photos; “leave no trace.”

The practice of flower viewing, or Ume was first inspired by the ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty as reflected in their poetry, philosophy, and literature. The Japanese custom of admiring flowers in full bloom called Sakura, settled in Japan, and was transported to the United States through Japanese immigrants, many of which worked in Seattle’s Pike Place Market selling their vegetables, flowers, and herbs in open-air stalls.

To this day the Japanese culture practices what is known as Hanami, a gathering and picnic in public gardens for full bloom “flower viewing”.  This ancient tradition of celebrating the beautiful, ephemeral blossoms of ornamental cherry trees refers to the flowers of several species or cultivars of ornamental cherries (Sakura), in the Prunus genus. The practice of viewing cherry blossoms is a contemplation, astounds our visual acuity, delivers joy and reflection, and readies us for the renewal of spring. Beyond each culture's unique symbolism for cherry blossoms, their fleeting beauty represents birth, renewal, the start of spring, and the transitory nature of life.  

Here in Prosser, our cherry blossoms are a few precious weeks behind our Western Washington neighbors, but we as a company celebrate by doing what we do best: coating Northwest cherries in chocolate to create pink cherry blossom chocolates.

The difference between ornamental cherry blossom trees and fruitful cherry trees (and how to grow them) is the next entry of interest. More to come! 

Cherry Cheers,