Puget Sound Off: Why UW's cherry trees don't grow cherries

The short answer: Most of the trees — including the Yoshinos in the Quad — don't produce any fruit.

• That's because they're ornamental hybrids, UW arborist Sara Shores told Axios. In other words: they're designed to look pretty, not to grow cherries.
• Shores says that's for the better.
• Fruiting trees "attract rats and create a mess," she said.

Yes, but: There's at least one exception, Shores said. A native bitter cherry species elsewhere on campus does bear fruit — but, true to its name, the cherries aren't very tasty.

• So while the blossoms might signal spring, don't expect a snack.