Sakura Watch May 9, 2022 - Good weather helps the Peak Bloom continue in High Park
Sakura Watch May 9, 2022 - Good weather helps the Peak Bloom continue in High Park after a very busy Mother’s Day weekend. The sakura cherry blossom bloom will most likely maintain up to 90% of open blossoms right through to May 12 if conditions remain favourable. This is supported by seeing on average 95-100% of blossoms open on trees today, with only a minimal sign of falling petals.
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The Sports Fields
The trees that frame the soccer fields and baseball diamonds near the Bloor St entrance are always the first to bloom. Prior to the past weekend, some of the trees were only at 50% or less of blossoms visible. This morning’s visit showed the full bloom at 96-100% visible across all the trees, though some did have leaves out as well. Here are a few photos of this area:
Cherry Blossom Hill
The most prominent and most popular area in High Park has always been Cherry Blossom Hill, or also referred to as Cherry Hill. The largest grove of trees are contained all along the hillside and line along the paved trail down toward Grenadier Pond. The largest tree atop the hill is where the City of Toronto’s BlooCam has been focused on for virtual viewing during the bloom period.
Always the popular spot for sakura hanami in High Park, fellow blossom enthusiasts can be seen enjoying the sights, smells and sounds without any fences or restrictions for the first time in years. And with the bloom visibility at 95-100%, there was plenty to see and enjoy. Here are some photos that captured the beauty seen today.
Grenadier Pond and the Dock
Continuing down the path towards Grenadier Pond and the dock, we find a wonderful assortment of trees lining either side of the trail. The fullest ones to the left share space with the Maple Leaf Garden and were the first ones I came across with a few petals gently falling in the breeze.
Between here and the dock, the trees overall showed a very full and fluffy 95-99% bloom and offered one more beautiful area for visitors to see and explore. The ‘blossom tunnel’ next to the dock was especially breath taking this morning as it filtered the sun through its mix o light pink and white petals.These photos captured some of this gorgeous trees in this area.
High Park still Closed to Vehicles During the Bloom
Do note that High Park remains closed to all motorized vehicles during the blooming period. TTC Wheel Trans and City vehicles are the only exceptions. Walking, biking, or running are always encouraged. Items like accessibility scooters and assistive devices will also be allowed - just be careful on the steep slopes!
High Park Trackless Train
There is also the High Park trackless train that circles the park and is another option for those who can’t walk distances but need a ride down to different areas, with frequent stops at all the popular spots and main entrances.
Hours
10:30 am to dusk daily, weather permitting
Tickets cost:
Adults (age 12 to 65): $5/person
Children (age 11 or younger): $4/person
Older Adults: (age 66 or older) $4/person
Peak Bloom Prediction and Duration
The blossoms began to open earlier this week, up to about 50%. As of May 5, the sunnier weather has helped the trees propel into peak bloom with up to 75% and will grow as more blossoms open over the weekend.
With a fair weather forecast, this peak bloom should last between May 5 and continue to May 12, depending on any changes in the weather.
Hope everyone has the chance to enjoy a wonderful sakura hanami and watch for more updates soon.
Do Your Part to Help the Trees from Damage
As much fun as it is to get up close to truly enjoy the cherry blossoms, there are some who take it a bit too far and cause damage to the tree that can lead to irreparable harm so the trees can not protect themselves from insects and disease and eventually die. This leaves us with less mature trees to enjoy, so please, if you really want to enjoy the blossoms for many years to come, you need to do your part to help protect the trees and prevent and harm to them:
Don’t pick or break off any blossoms
Don’t pull down, shake or break off the branches
Don’t climb, sit or stand on the trunks or branches - the mature trees are very old and not strong enough to support the weight and stress of people, even small children!
Don’t leave any litter IN or around the trees - it’s so sad to see people putting their garbage in the hollow trunks of the older trees which invites animals and other insects to nest inside and cause internal damage
DO take photos without harming the trees
DO enjoy the blossoms and respect their immediate surroundings
DO remember that respecting the trees from root to branch will help everyone to enjoy the blooming trees for many years to come
Donate to Support The Cherry Blossoms
New for 2022, the City of Toronto has launched a donation campaign to allow anyone to donate funds to help maintain existing trees and plant future ones. See this link for details.
All COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted
The City of Toronto has lifted restrictions for in-person viewing of the cherry blossoms in High Park for 2022. This year, everyone is once again welcome to walk, run, or bike through the park. However, the park will be closed to motorized vehicle traffic during the peak bloom - so no parking or drop-offs during the peak bloom. Read more details and information posted here and on the City of Toronto website.
City of Toronto - Cherry Blossom Website
Thank you all for visiting the site. Be careful, be safe, and watch for more updates soon.