Sakura Watch, March 24, 2025 – Snow on the ground hasn't hurt the progress of the Sakura trees
Sakura Watch, March 24, 2025 – Snow on the ground hasn't hurt the progress of the Sakura trees, but this is normal for this time of year, and the buds remain healthy and well-formed. This winter has been more seasonal, with cold temperatures and plenty of snowfall, which has kept the trees on a better, more predictable path. They are in the later part of Stage 1, with hints of progressing to the next stage starting in early April.
Watch the Youtube video update below.
Consulate General of Japan in Toronto
I started my day meeting with representatives from the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto: Rui Umezawa, Chief Advisor for the Consul General, and Tomohiro Ota, Consul. For the past few years, I have had the opportunity to meet with the new Consul and share my thoughts, ideas, and predictions for the upcoming sakura hanami season. One example of this collaboration was from a couple of years ago, which led to being part of the CBC program, ‘Our Toronto’ that dedicated an entire episode on the Sakura cherry blossoms (watch the full video here). So, watch for my posts on social media about the number of activities they share. Learn more about what they do and offer at their website: link.
Photo: representatives from the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto: Rui Umezawa, Chief Advisor for the Consul General, and Tomohiro Ota, Consul in High Park, Toronto.
Stage 1: Progress continues
The buds are well into their Stage 1 progress. Today I observed that they continue to swell and grow larger with their tips becoming even more prominent since my last visit. The colder weather has definitely slowed the overall pace to a more normal development cycle than milder winters in the last few years. This means moving into the next stages will occur in early April, pending the weather. Here are some photos from today’s visit:
Too Early for an accurate Prediction
As we’re still at the beginning of the Sakura cherry blossom season, it’s still too early to make an accurate prediction. However, based on past trends and current forecasts, it does appear that the colder, snowier winter has helped us keep the trees on a more predictable progression path.
The early prediction is that we can expect to see the trees bloom in High Park between late April and early May.
More visits in the weeks ahead will help shed more clues and signs of when the actual bloom will begin. So, follow me along as we start our weekly visits, and watch for new 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.