Sakura Watch May 5, 2023 - Last chance to enjoy the remaining cherry blossoms in High Park this weekend before they all fall. Here is what to expect to see this weekend. After a week of rainy days, we saw that, on average, the trees lose between 10-15% of cherry blossoms with each passing day. Some trees lost more, while others held on to lose less.

During my visit to High Park today, I could see many branches with deep pink and purple blossom stems completely empty. The grounds are sprinkled with white blossom petals everywhere you look. I estimate visitors will see 25-50% of blossoms still visible on the trees this weekend. This, again, can vary greatly from tree to tree and in areas in the park.

Watch the Youtube video update below.

Sports Fields - 15-45% of blossoms still visible

The first to bloom, the first to fall. The percentage of cherry blossoms still visible on the trees averages around 15-45%. A few trees are already nearly bare, showing only empty stems and leaves. Other trees are still holding on to their blossoms a little longer as seen in these photos below:

Cherry Hill - 25-50% of blossoms still visible

Cherry Hill bodes pretty well, as it’s been holding on to cherry blossoms closer to the 50% range on average. Again this varies throughout the slope, where some trees near the top of the winding path still have many blossoms to see and enjoy. While a few other trees do appear to be close to completely bare, a number of trees like this one are beginning to drop their blossoms in favour of showing many more leaves.

Overall, there are still plenty of beautiful opportunities to appreciate what remains of the blooms, so if you haven’t had the chance to see the cherry blossoms yet, this will be your last chance to do so. Here are photos from today:

Grenadier Pond & Dock - 30-50% blossoms still visible

Moving toward Grenadier Pond, you can again see the trees looking more sparse than last weekend’s peak bloom. Once again, there are examples of trees showing more blossoms while others are showing more leaves. But walking this way won’t leave you disappointed, as there is still plenty of beauty to behold as you wind your way along the path toward the dock. Once there, you will come across two rows of trees which are still holding on to 50% of their bloom and boasting calming views over Grenadier Pond. Here are a few photos of the trees along the pond:

Jamie Bell Playground & High Park Zoo - 90-95% of blossoms still visible

Once again, I couldn’t make it across the park to this area, but like the rest of the park, I estimate up to 50% of blossoms are visible. This area is always a few days behind the Cherry Hill bloom, so it’s safe to surmise that they will last throughout the weekend.

Akebono & fugenzo to bloom soon

Did you know there are also a few other varieties of Japanese cherry blossom trees known as Akebono and Fugenzo? These are small groups at the bottom of Cherry Hill, and a few more just outside the Maple Leaf Garden. These trees bloom later and should begin between May 7-16.

The flowers these trees produce are much larger, rounder and fuller than the Yoshino white blossoms we’ve all come to adore, but these varieties are beautiful in their own right. I’ll be trying to post more about these blossoms next week. The first pink flowered photo is an example of how they will bloom; the following three images of closed flowers with deep copper and bronze-coloured leaves are the trees as they look today.

Plus, take heart that many other flowers, like tulips, are now coming to bloom beyond the cherry blossoms. Forsythia at the base of Cherry Hill is always popular. The smaller rows of Magnolias closer to the road lead you toward the magnificent more giant Magnolia tree, which is now on full display. I’ve pulled some of these photos from the video update and added them below:

Sunny Days ahead

The weather is once again turning into more favourable conditions making this weekend a wonderful last chance to see the cherry blossoms in High Park. Do note that now you CAN drive and park into the park once again on weekdays, but NO ACCESS ON WEEKENDS. It will be crowded in the afternoons and evenings, so plan ahead or take TTC or other means if you can avoid hassles.

Hope everyone has a great weekend 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 enjoy the cherry blossoms truly, 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 any 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

The City of Toronto now accepts donations to help maintain existing trees and plant future ones. See this link for details.
Read more details and information on the City of Toronto - Cherry Blossom Website

Thank you all for visiting the site. Be careful, be safe, and watch for more updates soon.

Sakura Watch May 5, 2023 - Last chance to enjoy the remaining cherry blossoms in High Park this weekend before they all fall. Here is what to expect to see this weekend.