Ohio University

cherry blossoms against a background of the sky.

Cherry Blossoms at Ohio University

Ohio University’s iconic cherry trees draw attention each year, as their blooms symbolize the arrival of spring in Athens. They were given as a gift in 1979 by Chubu University, located in Kasugai Japan, in honor of OHIO’s 175th anniversary. Celebrating the arrival of the blooms along the Hocking River each spring serves as a yearly reminder of the 49-year global partnership with Chubu University.

Thank you for a wonderful 2022 Cherry Blossom season. We hope you enjoyed this years' bloom and we encourage you to check out Archive Slideshows of past years' blooms. 

 

Updates:
  • 04/05/2022: The last night for cherry blossom lighting will be Thursday, April 7th. It has been wonderful celebrating the cherry blossoms this year despite colder temperatures.
  • 03/30/2022: Lighting of the trees will begin this Friday, April 1st. The trees furthest along have sustained some light frost damage but the oldest trees along Shafer Street did not. The warm weather today can trigger the blooms at any time, so be on the lookout!
  • 03/23/2022: Incoming cold front with daytime highs in the 40's and overnight lows in the 20-30's should not impact buds or blossoms. Blooms behind Peden Stadium may emerge as soon as next week, followed by the grove along Shafer, estimated the week of April 1.
  • 03/13/2022: Cherry trees have survived the winter successfully, three new trees have been planted along Shafer St. and buds were not far along enough to sustain damage during the snow on March 12, 2022. 

 

2022 Cherry Blossom Slideshow

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path beginning to turn green

April 17, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path beginning to turn green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms beginning to turn green

April 17, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms beginning to turn green with spring on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

 

Up-close picture of cherry tree branch with blossoms

April 12, 2022

Cherry tree branch with full blossoms

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up-close picture of cherry tree branch with blossoms around dusk

April 9, 2022

Cherry tree branch with blossoms at dusk

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up-close picture of cherry tree branch with blossoms

April 7, 2022

Cherry tree blossom branch

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path with a hawk flying through the picture

April 4, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path (with a Red Tail Hawk visiting the blossoms!)

Photo Credit: Kate McClure

 

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

April 4, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Kate McClure

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

April 3, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

April 3, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

April 3, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

April 3, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms near the Convo

March 31, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms near the Convocation Center

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

March 31, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry blossoms along bike path starting to bloom

March 29, 2022

Up-close cherry tree blossoms starting to bloom along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

March 29, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry tree blossoms beginning to bloom by Peden Stadium

March 28, 2022

Up-close cherry tree blossoms starting to bloom near Peden Stadium

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry tree blossoms along the bike path

March 28, 2022

Up-close cherry tree blossoms starting to bloom along the Bike Path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry tree blooms on East Green

March 28, 2022

Up-close cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry trees starting to bloom along the bike path

March 27, 2022

Cherry tree buds starting to blossom along bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

March 27, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms near the Convo

March 24, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree buds by the Convocation Center

March 24, 2022

Cherry tree buds ready to blossom any day near the Convocation Center

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry clossoms on East Green

March 21, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Pink cherry tree buds along the bike path

March 21, 2022

Pink cherry tree buds along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Pink cherry tree buds along the bike path

March 20, 2022

Pink cherry tree buds along bike path (the anticipation grows!)

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Up close cherry blossoms on East Green

March 20, 2022

Up close cherry blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Pink cherry tree buds along the bike path

March 19, 2022

Pink cherry tree buds along bike path (the anticipation grows!)

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Start of cherry tree blossoms on East Green

March 19, 2022

The start of cherry blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

March 18, 2022

Cherry tree blossoms on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry tree buds along the bike path

March 18, 2022

Cherry tree buds on bike path

Photo Credit:Nick Brown

Up close branch of cherry trees along bike path with green buds beginning to swell

March 17, 2022

Buds starting to swell and turn pink along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry trees on East Green with a few pink buds beginning to bloom

March 17, 2022

Cherry Trees on East Green are starting to see some first blooms of the season

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry trees blong bike path with up close green buds growing on a branch

March 16, 2022

Buds starting to swell and turn pink along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Cherry trees blong bike path with up close green buds growing on a branch

March 16, 2022

Buds starting to swell and grow along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Buds on the cherry tree starting to swell along the bike path

March 15, 2022

Buds starting to form on cherry trees along the Bike Path near Peden Stadium

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Pink buds on East Green

March 15, 2022

Pink buds starting to form on cherry trees on East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees on East Green in the sunshine

March 14, 2022

Bare cherry trees on East Green in the sunshine

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Buds on the cherry tree starting to swell along the bike path

March 14, 2022

Cherry trees along the bike path with buds beginning to swell

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

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March 12, 2022

Cherry Trees in a late-winter snow along the River near the Convocation Centre

Photo Credit: Kate McClure

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March 9, 2022

Cherry Trees in a snow flurry along the River near the Convocation Centre

Photo Credit: Kate McClure

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March 9, 2022

Buds starting to form on cherry trees along the Bike Path near Peden Stadium

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

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March 7, 2022

Buds starting to form on cherry trees in East Green

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Buds starting to form on an up-close cherry tree branch

March 1, 2022

Buds starting to form on cherry trees around campus

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees on campus with buds starting to form

March 1, 2022

Buds starting to form on cherry trees around campus

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees with buds starting to form along bike path

February 22, 2022

Bare cherry trees along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees with buds starting to form along bike path

February 22, 2022

Bare cherry trees along the bike path

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees in front of Penden Stadium with light snow on the ground

February 8, 2022

Bare cherry trees in front of Peden Stadium with light snow on the ground

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Bare cherry trees along the bike path with light snow on the ground

February 8, 2022

Bare cherry trees along the bike path with light snow on the ground

Photo Credit: Nick Brown

Chubu University students and Global Affairs leadership standing next to museum complex sinage

OHIO Museum Complex Cherry Trees Signage

The Cherry Trees on Athens campus are a beautiful symbol of Ohio University's longstanding relationship with Chubu University. Students from Chubu met with Dr. Tadashi Shiozawa, Director of Center for International Affairs at Chubu University, and Dr. Ji-Yeung Jang, OHIO Interim Executive Director for Global Affairs, near the cherry trees where the OHIO Museum Complex has placed signage to create a living museum on campus.

These global footprints on our own campus are a testament of the strength OHIO finds in connecting with international students and its relationship with Chubu University.

Photo Slideshow Archive

 

 

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    Featured News

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    Spring has sprung as the iconic cherry blossoms bloom on OHIO's Athens campus

    April 14, 2022

    Photographers and student photographers from University Communications and Marketing have photographed the famous trees for those near and far to enjoy.

    Read the Article
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    Featured News

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    Alumna and landscape coordinator Susan Calhoun tends Ohio University’s cherry trees with love

    March 22, 2022

    Learn more about OHIO alumna Susan Calhoun, landscape coordinator and caretaker of the beloved Cherry Trees.

    Read the Article
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    Featured News

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    Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

    April 6, 2021

    Photographers from University Communications and Marketing documented the 2021 blooming of OHIO's famous trees, which are enjoyed by Bobcats and community members.

    View Photos
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    Featured News

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    Celebrate Springtime with the OHIO Museum Complex

    April 2, 2021

    The OHIO Museum Complex, and students, faculty and staff from the OHIO Office of Global Affairs and Center for International Studies take you on a journey celebrating OHIO’s cherry trees!

    View Spring Activities

Contact Us

Office of Global Affairs, 56 E. Union St. Athens, OH 45701

Other Links of Interest

OHIO in Bloom

Share your photos of the iconic Cherry Blossom trees using #OhioCherryBlossoms