Sakura Watch April 15, 2022 - Blossom buds look healthy but progress is slow
Sakura Watch April 15, 2022 - Blossom buds look healthy, but progress has been slow since my last visit to the park. This is expected as the weather has been a mix of a few warmer days mixed with mostly cooler days and nights and lots of rain. Precipitation is always welcomed by the trees, as was the abundance of snow we saw over the winter. We continue to wait for sunnier, warmer days to help push the progress along and get the blossoms to bloom in a few weeks.
Watch for my latest YouTube update or continue reading below.
Strong Winds
First off, I have to say wow, the recent stretch of strong winds made it a real challenge to shoot video and photos today. A pro tip for anyone trying to take pictures in these conditions is first to wait for the winds to calm down between gusts or else try to find branches closer to the trunk where the wind creates less movement and makes it easier to focus.
Buds still look green, round and healthy
Getting back to the buds, there hasn't been much noticeable change since my last visit. The buds are still in the early stages of development as the cooler weather has still kept the pace of progress slow. However, they maintain their bright green, round and healthy look, which means things are still on track for a great showing of blossoms this year
Looking back at the progress of previous years and comparing them to the photos of the stages listed on my website, the buds prove to be well into stage 2. This means that, on average, the buds still have anywhere from 16-22 days before they get to the full bloom period. Based on these numbers, it may be more accurate to see blooming dates be pushed out after the end of April and into May.
Revised Prediction
This revised my blooming prediction and pushed out the date a little further. I now see the bloom begin by the end of April at the earliest and most likely extend into the first week of May. All this, of course, depends on the weather conditions one the weeks ahead, so keep watching out for future updates.
I wish everyone has a safe and Happy Easter weekend!
Keep Park Visits Safe and Clean
Although the mask mandates have been lifted in Ontario, and specifically Toronto, its now optional, and recommended, for visitors to wear a mask when viewing the cherry blossoms while in large crowds. Other ways to stay safe it to visit the park during less peak times such as early morning weekdays. Late afternoon, weeknights and weekends tend to draw the largest crowds. Virtual viewing will also be setup by the City of Toronto.
And also, please respect the park and others when you are out. Dispose of your mask and other items in trash bins, or take them home instead of tossing them on the ground. This helps keep our parks clean and safe.
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. However, the park will be closed to ALL vehicle traffic during the peak bloom. Watch for more details and information posted here and on the City of Toronto website.
City of Toronto - https://www.toronto.ca/COVID-19/
Health Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html
Thank you all for visiting the site. Be careful, be safe, and watch for more updates soon.