Sakura Watch April 9, 2022 - Finally made my first visit to High Park for the 2022 blossom season
Sakura Watch April 9, 2022 - Finally made my first visit to High Park for the 2022 blossom season and was happy to see the progress already well underway. This past winter has been closer to what a typical winter would be in Toronto, which helped minimize damage to the trees. There were no long bouts of extreme cold weather or ice storms. Even though we did have unusually warm days, they were only a few sprinkled in here and there, therefore not causing any unnecessary ‘jumps’ in the tree’s bud development cycle.
Watch for my latest YouTube update or continue reading below for details on each section of High Park.
Well-Rounded Buds and Green Tips
One of the key things noticed today is seeing how far the tree buds have developed. Overall, the trees look healthy and showcase a host of well-rounded buds with green tips poking through. This is very similar to what we saw last early April, and if these trends continue, this is an excellent indicator that the peak bloom will likely occur around the same time as 2021. Here are a few photos of the buds captured today:
Early Prediction
Future visits and weather forecasts for the weeks ahead will dictate precisely when we see the cherry blossoms bloom this year. But based on this initial visit and comparison to previous years, my early prediction will be to see the peak bloom occur during the end of April.
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.