Sakura Watch April 24, 2024 - Peak Bloom fills High Park with cherry blossoms in all areas now over 90% of open blossoms! The sun finally did make an appearance this afternoon, which helped make this visit a bit warmer, but the chill in the air isn’t preventing the crowds from coming in droves, and for good reason – the park is in Peak Bloom! Peak Bloom is when the trees have at least 90% of open blossoms, as compared to full bloom (where the trees appear to be full) with only at least 75%. Semantics aside, blooming blossoms are beautiful to behold whenever they are open, and now IS the time to enjoy them before the rainy weekend ahead. Read on to learn more about what I saw in each area of High Park…

Watch the Youtube video update below.

Getting Around High Park

When visiting High Park, there are four main areas to enjoy the Sakura cherry blossoms, and I have outlined them on my interactive Map and Directions page (link here).

Do note there will be NO vehicle access to the park on weekends and during the bloom, so you will NOT be allowed to drive in and park. Options will be limited to parking along Bloor St all along the park's length or on nearby side streets and paid P parking lots a short distance from the lakeshore and Bloor West Village. I will try to put together a special video and post about this soon.

Please stop damaging the trees

Unfortunately, I did see some damaged branches and trees, so it’s worth repeating this again and again. Proper etiquette is always important, too, so as not to damage the trees in surrounding areas and wildlife habitats. Please don’t climb the trees, don’t pull, bend, shake or break branches, or climb onto the trees themselves, as all of these things will cause irreversible damage and make the overall sakura hanami enjoyment less for everyone else. This includes being mindful of the little boxes located on the ground throughout Cherry Hill, which are there to help protect the turtle hatchlings from all the people trampling on them. High Park Nature Centre has some staff on hand to explain more about this, so drop by their table to learn more.

Now back to the blossoms.

the Sports Fields (by Bloor St Entrance)

Always the first to bloom in the park, the small collection of trees that frame the sports fields showed 90-100% open blossoms. The twin trees that first greet you from the Bloor Street entrance are the showiest and most beautiful trees to see and enjoy. For the keen observers, you will note there are other trees hidden and scattered amongst the walking paths and along the roadside walkway near the area. Here are some more detailed photos of this area:

Cherry Hill (by Grenadier Cafe)

The largest collection and most famous area of High Park is Cherry Hill, where, as of this morning, the percentage of open blossoms along the walking paved path are well into peak bloom with over 90% of open blossoms. On the top of Cherry Hill, across from Grenadier Cafe, you will continue to see sakura trees with 90-100% open blossoms. These are always stunning to see, and depending on when you visit, you may even start to see the Magnolia trees also start to open up! Here are some more detailed photos of this area:

Along Grenadier Pond and By the Dock

As you follow the path beside Grenadier Pond, multiple trees are located along the path toward the dock and even further down. These trees are also in peak bloom and show 90-95% of open blossoms. These Sakura cherry blossoms also start to be more pink when they first bloom and then eventually begin whitening as they mature during the blooming process. Weather permitting, these will hopefully last until next weekend. Here are some more detailed photos of this area:

By Jamie Bell Adventure Playground and the Zoo

The final destination is also the slowest to bloom in High Park, next to the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground and High Park Zoo. Nearly all of this area's trees are now in peak bloom, with 85-95% open blossoms. Though there may not be as many trees here to see as in other areas of the park, the secluded areas are often less busy and quieter, so if you want to avoid the crowds but still take in some beautiful blossoms, this is a great spot. Here are some more detailed photos of this area:

Its Peak bloom In High Park

So, the Peak Bloom Sakura Hanami continues in High Park this coming weekend. The forecast is calling for rain, which may start to knock down the blossom petals, depending on how heavy the rain is and how strong the winds are. So those waiting to visit until this weekend may see a little fewer blossoms than during the week, but they won’t all be gone until early next week, so you still have time! I just predict that starting on Saturday, April 27, the blossoms will begin to fall and will start to lose approximately 10-15% of visible blossoms each day.

But exactly how long they last will depend on the weather over the weekend. I’ll try to visit on Saturday to see how the rain is affecting the trees and will report back then, so 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.