Spring is here, and Toronto’s beloved cherry blossoms are expected to bloom between the end of April and early May as cooler temperatures continue to slow their progress.
The famous Sakura cherry blossom trees are located all around the city, particularly in city parks like High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park.
“Toronto is home to many beautiful cherry tree groves in parks across the city. Every spring, the trees delight visitors with their stunning blossoms,” the City of Toronto states on their website.
According to Sakura Cherry Blossoms in High Park, an initiative that closely watches the process of the cherry blossoms in bloom at the west-end park, the trees remain in stage two of development.
Stage two is a phase where buds stay tightly wrapped in protective casings.
As of Apr. 11, the buds at High Park were observed to be healthy and full, with signs of good health despite the slower pace.
This season has had below-average temperatures and even surprise snowfalls, resulting in the trees pausing their bloom, for now. And the weather doesn’t seem to be picking up just yet.
This week’s forecast will bring in showers and cloudy conditions, with a high of 12 C and a low of 5 C today, with a chance of showers late this afternoon. Rain is expected throughout most days during the rest of the week with highs reaching 13 C and lows dipping to -1 C.
Cooler temperatures slow down cherry blossom development, while the warmth signals the trees to move forward and bloom. Without the warmer temperatures, the blooming timeline gets pushed later into the season.
The forecast for the rest of April remains mixed, making it unlikely for residents to see an early bloom like in previous years. Right now, the prediction to see the trees in full bloom is set for the end of this month and the beginning of May.
While High Park is the city’s most popular cherry blossom destination, it’s not the only place to catch the blossoms.
The City of Toronto offers a detailed online guide to those looking to branch out to observe and enjoy the cherry blossoms around the city.
To keep the cherry blossoms thriving, the city reminds visitors to admire the trees with care. This means resisting the urge to touch or pick on the delicate blooms, avoiding off-train wandering in sensitive green spaces, and making sure to to clean up any litter.
