Cherries Dressed for Fall

 

10/29/25 UW Quad cherry trees

The University of Washington Quad during cherry blossom season is an annual event for USk Seattle. But those same cherries that delight us with spring flowers are a yellow-orange spectacle when they get dressed for autumn. Although we talk about it every year, we rarely get to have sketch outings for the cherries’ fall foliage. Targeting prime color is hard enough, but coupled with iffy and fast-changing weather, it’s almost impossible.

Kim went to scout the color on Monday. Checking the weather, she decided Wednesday would be the best day to try for an outing. Score! USk Seattle got the benefit of both prime foliage and sunshine!

Although I have sketched the Quad cherries when they weregreen, I’m not sure I’ve ever sketched them in their fall hues. More sublime than showy red maples, the orange Sakura still shine vibrantly, especially in late-morning light.

Sketchbook note: Last week I had mentioned briefly in a sketch cutline that I had just cracked open a new square-format Hahnemühle sketchbook (the paper is the same 100 percent cotton that I love in the A5 and A6 formats). As I said then, one major benefit of a square-format book is that it opens up as a panorama landscape. I’ve used A5-size landscape books many times, especially during travel. The primary problem I have with them is that a long, horizontal book is awkward to hold while standing, especially when trying to use the full, panoramic spread. On crowded European sidewalks, other pedestrians have jostled my book when they passed closely. This 5 ½-inch square book opens to a more manageable 11-inch width while still giving me the stretched-out look.