Sakura Watch March 27, 2026 - Little change, but the squirrels are ready to rumble
Sakura Watch March 27, 2026 - Little change, but the squirrels are ready to rumble as they stalked me while I was filming in the park today. Even though the sun was shining, it was a cold day in the park with the temperature barely above freezing! Though this didn’t seem to bother the animals in the park, I was dodging woodpeckers flying towards my head, and the next thing was being surrounded by squirrels. Next time, I need to try to catch it all on camera. But I digress, let’s get back to viewing the blossom buds - read more below and watch the video to see my latest visit.
Watch the YouTube video update below.
Buds continue in First Stage
Cooler weather has slowed the progress of the buds. There wasn’t much difference in what I saw today compared to my last visit, but notably, a few trees showed the slightest hints of the next stage. A select few buds were showing bright green tips, an indicator of the Second Stage. The trees are waiting for warmer temperatures before they fully move on to the next stages. Here are a few photos from what I saw this weekend:
weather Rollercoaster
As always, the weather is the most important factor in how quickly or slowly the trees progress from bud to blossom. This forecast for next week is a complete roller coaster in terms of temperatures and rainfall, with colder days giving way to much warmer ones and then falling right back again. Some days even swing within 10 degrees Celsius between the highs and lows. Add to that even more precipitation, a couple of days heavy, that will further saturate the park. Yes, rain is good for spring, but too much rain can also hamper the trees’ progress a bit, as they prefer sunnier conditions to help them grow. Too much moisture can invite rot, disease, and insects seeking shelter from the rain.
With all that said, we are one week closer to the bloom, as we continue the waiting game. I hope to see more progress on my next visit, which I hope to make before Easter. So, as always, stay tuned 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.