Cherry Blossom season at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University: Spring blooms along the Hocking River
To the delight of Bobcats near and far, each spring cherry blossom trees on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University campus in Athens produce spectacular blooms. OHIO is home to 230 cherry blossom trees and has been named one of the best places in the United States to see cherry blossoms outside of Washington, D.C.
Photos by Ben Siegel and Eli Burris | April 7, 2025
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Cherry tree blossoms are a tradition in Athens, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ
Each year, during cherry blossom seaason, OHIO students, faculty and staff, community members and visitors gather under the blooms to share special moments, to relax, play music, and enjoy the springtime scenery.
After the trees begin to blossom, OHIO lights up the area around the cherry trees and the Convocation Center in the twilight hours.
Updated photos and pictures of the cherry trees in bloom in years past are available on the . Planning to post a photo online while visiting the cherry blossoms this spring? Use #OHIOcherryblossoms for a chance to be featured on OHIO’s social accounts.
From above, Peden Stadium with cherry blossoms lines the bike path on the southern edge of campus.
A historic partnership in bloom 50 years strong
OHIO’s 50-year partnership with Chubu stands as a shining example of academic collaboration and mutual growth, setting the stage for continued cross-cultural understanding and the enrichment of both institutions.
The Chubu partnership was established to foster mutual understanding and to strengthen the relationship between Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University and Chubu University. Many students and faculty members have benefited from this exchange program. Students have been able to enhance their language skills, and experience a new culture, while faculty members have been able to collaborate in research.
The Japanese Pavilion in Friendship Park, above left, stands amongst the cherry trees planted in celebration of the fruitful partnership between Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University and Chubu University.
The springtime bloom of the cherry blossoms adds a serene touch to Peden Stadium.
Cherry trees in bloom decorate the Athens campus and endure spring floods
The cherry trees, planted in 1979, 2003, and 2023, stand as a testament to the legacy of the partnership that kickstarted with faculty exchanges five decades ago.
Since the initial planting, the cherry trees have endured harsh winters and storm damage. In honor of OHIO’s Bicentennial, Chubu University gave 94 Yoshino cherry trees and 9 double weeping cherry trees in 2004 to replace the 97 plants that had suffered damage since the first planting. The OHIO grounds team has established a successful schedule of care and maintenance to give these trees the special attention required.
In November 2023, Chubu University gave OHIO an additional 50 cherry blossom trees in honor of the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the two institutions. The 50 Yoshino cherry trees were planted throughout the grove near Shafer Street on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University campus, with 23 of them located across from the softball field complex.
This year, days of heavy rain in Southeast Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ led to a from The Athens County Emergency Management Agency, and the recorded the Hocking River cresting at 20.77 feet on April 6, at minor flood stage.
While the cherry blossoms herald spring in Athens, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, so does rain—and this year's spring rains brought flooding along the Hocking River near East State Street.
The soft pink and white blooms of cherry blossoms mark the arrival of spring on OHIO’s campus.