Cherry blossom season is fast approaching, but Toronto’s volatile and unpredictable weather might seriously impact when, and how long, the sakura trees bloom! While the city’s annual cherry blossom obsession is edging closer, but most buds remain in the first stage, with only a few beginning to hint at the next phase, according to the latest Sakura Watch update from Steve Joniak (aka Sakura Steve). A select few buds were showing bright green tips, which are considered an indicator of the second stage, but the trees are still waiting for warmer temperatures before they fully move on to the next stage.
According to Joniak, the weather is the most important factor in how quickly the trees progress from bud to blossom, but the forecast this week is a complete roller coaster in terms of temperatures and rainfall, with colder days giving way to much warmer ones and then falling right back again.
“Some days even swing within 10 degrees Celsius between the highs and lows. Add to that even more precipitation, a couple of days heavy, that will further saturate the park. Yes, rain is good for spring, but too much rain can also hamper the trees’ progress a bit, as they prefer sunnier conditions to help them grow,” Joniak said, adding that, “[t]oo much moisture can invite rot, disease, and insects seeking shelter from the rain.”
Before mapping out your annual blossom pilgrimage, High Park Nature Centre’s tracking guide says that blossoms in High Park usually reach peak bloom in late April to early May, and that it’s difficult to predict the exact timing more than 10 days in advance because the process is heavily temperature-dependent.
And High Park may be the headliner, but it’s not the only place to catch cherry blossoms across the province. In Toronto, you can also head to Trinity Bellwoods Park, Centennial Park, Edwards Gardens, the area around Robarts Library, Woodbine Park, Toronto Island Park, Exhibition Place, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, and York University to catch pretty glimpses of pink-and-white blooms!
