MARILYN CORNWELL: Apr 15 2023 - High Park Vancouver

Bing's main page picture is of ancient cherry blossom trees and it says Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival but the picture it shows says High Park. Our Toronto High Park Cherry Blossoms should be blooming soon - we can go to highparknaturecentre.com HERE to get the current status and it is called Stage 3 right now. The "blossom florets are deep pink and the buds extending out. So that means not yet - likely 12 days away. But who knows with such war m weather.

It will be a vehicle-free blooming experience - so you can imagine the grid lock around the park this year. It is quite contentious that there are plans to reduce vehicular lanes and parking.

Here are the blossom stages:

Stage One: Green Colour in Buds: Cherry blossoms emerge before the leaves on the tree. The first sign of their impending arrival are fat, round green buds on the branches of the tree.

Stage Two: Florets Visible: About 14 days before peak bloom, the buds swell and the florets (small flowers) start to become visible.

Stage Three: Extension of Florets: Approximately 12 days before peak bloom, the florets (deep pink at this stage) start to extend out of the buds.

Stage Four: Peduncle Elongation: 6-10 days before peak bloom, the peduncles (flower stems) get longer and the individual blossoms can be clearly seen. Blossoms are very vulnerable to frost at this stage.

Stage Five: Fluffy White: 4-6 days before peak bloom, the fluffy white Sakura blossoms begin to open. Each flower opens at different times.

Stage Six: Peak Bloom: “Peak bloom” starts when at least 70% of the blossoms are open. Once open, flowers last from 4-10 days, depending on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the bloom period, while warm, unsettled weather can shorten it.

Let's head out to our own vast weeping cherry tree on Niagara Street just north of Carlton, across from Laura Secord High School. We'll do the stage assessment - maybe in bloom.